The Liam Farrell column: Lifting the lid on my Wigan mates - who is like Conor McGregor, and who is friends with a Manchester United player?

Ahead of Saturday's Super League Grand Final, our columnist Liam Farrell gives the inside track on the Wigan side...
Tautai is flattered by comparisons to Maui from MoanaTautai is flattered by comparisons to Maui from Moana
Tautai is flattered by comparisons to Maui from Moana

Sam Tomkins: He used to be compared to Jay from The Inbetweeners so he grew a beard, had more tattoos, and now fancies himself as a Conor McGregor-lookalike. Always talking about moving to France.

Dom Manfredi: Easily the tightest member of the squad, he deliberately arrives late at coffee shops to avoid getting into a round. Once asked to borrow 99p so he didn’t have to break into a £1 coin.

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Oliver Gildart: If you meet him once, he’ll be your mate. At least, I’m guessing that’s the case... because he once met Phil Jones from Manchester United and now he tells everyone they’re good friends.

UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Sam TomkinsUFC fighter Conor McGregor and Sam Tomkins
UFC fighter Conor McGregor and Sam Tomkins

Dan Sarginson: You wouldn’t know it to look at him, but he’s just started a politics degree. His Theatre of Dreams would be appearing on Question Time.

Tom Davies: If The Inbetweeners was revived, and they introduced a fifth character, it would be Tom Davies. He is such a special, weird, unique fella – in a nice way.

George Williams: He’s our marquee player and there’s a rumour he uses £10 notes for toilet roll. Very generous; if you see him out and about, ask him for a pint, he’ll happily buy you one.

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Thomas Leuluai: You think seeing him doing the haka is impressive, wait until you seen him on a dance floor – he takes over. Has some good moves, too.

Romain Navarrete: I don’t know if it’s possible to love someone as much as Romain loves himself. If he was made of chocolate, he would eat himself.

Sam Powell: He’s the wheeler-dealer of the group, he must have had 10 different cars since I’ve known him. Loves fishing and talking politics with Sarge.

Ben Flower: Just like Tommy, he loves to get on the dance floor when he’s had a beer. Unlike Tommy, Benny dances exactly as you’d imagine Ben Flower to dance.

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John Bateman: Our Canberra-bound mate is already saying Ricky Stuart is the best coach he’s ever had. Ricky must be good if he can understand Batty on the phone.

Joe Greenwood: His brother James was nicknamed ‘Bear’, so on Joe’s first day, we told him his nickname would be ‘Yogi’ and it’s stuck. It could be worse – he could be ‘Winnie the Pooh’.

Sean O’Loughlin: Our captain. I can guarantee he’ll be the first to arrive, he’ll be geeing the lads up and he will refuse to quit – and that’s just on Mad Monday.

Tony Clubb: Has recently helped his missus launch her own beauty parlour. No wonder he has started having his eyebrows waxed and nails manicured.

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Ryan Sutton: He says he’s gluten-free and yet he’s always tucking into burgers at McDonald’s after a match. Canberra fans will love him. So will the city’s McDonald’s managers.

Morgan Escare: He’ll wind someone up, but when they give it back he’ll say he can’t understand because he’s French. Which would be fine, except his English is fluent when he’s had a beer!

Gabe Hamlin: There is a cliche that Australians have bad dress sense, and I’m pleased to say that Gabe reinforces it. Often goes home in training gear, because the lads criticise his clothes so much.

Taulima Tautai: Seen the kids movie Moana? Taulima looks just like Maui. Which he has bizarrely taken as a compliment, given the character is voiced by The Rock.