Jackson Hastings has 'a place at Wigan Warriors for as long as he wants'

Warriors chairman Ian Lenagan expects this season to be the player's last in Super League before he returns home, but says he would be happy for the 25-year-old to extend his stay.

Before returning to the UK this week, Hastings gave an interview in Australia in which he made it clear he wants another crack at the NRL - something he has never shied away from admitting.

The timing of the article drew criticism from some fans but Lenagan said: "I don't have a problem with it, he's always told us he wants to go back to the NRL.

"Do we expect him to go back to the NRL at the end of 2021? Probably.

"Do we have plans if he does? Yes.

"Would we keep him if he wanted to stay? Yes. At the right price, obviously."

Hastings, a former Sydney Roosters and Manly player, joined Wigan from Salford last year and signed a new 12-month deal in November.

"Jackson is a great player, I love the contribution he made particularly in the last three months of the season," continued Lenagan.

"And when he was prepared to play at hooker... he's a commendable rugby league player who's got a place at Wigan for as long as he wants to be here.

"But should he be making plans to go home and play in the NRL? Yeah, I would if I was him.

"Every player has only got a 10 or 12 year life, you have to make plans. He has got to be making plans, he wants to play in the NRL, there's no doubt about that."

Hastings, who won the Steve Prescott Man of Steel in 2019, will link-up with his Wigan teammates after completing five days of quarantine.