Why Wigan Warriors' leaders are impressing Adrian Lam

Players had been training on their own during the coronavirus-forced lockdown.

But earlier this month, the government relaxed rules on exercising outdoors, allowing groups of up to six people to meet outdoors – maintaining social-distancing.

And that paved the way for the Warriors players to take a small step back towards normality with group fitness sessions.

Because of the rules surrounding the government’s furlough scheme, clubs can not compel players to train or even give them instructions.

But Lam has learned his leadership group – Sean O’Loughlin, Tony Clubb, Thomas Leuluai, Zak Hardaker, Liam Farrell and Sam Powell – have taken on the responsibility.

Lam said: “Because of furlough we have to respect the rules in place, but I believe they have got together in groups of six and are training on their own. It’s in their hands what they are doing. We can’t ask them to do anything.

“But this club has had a great leadership group over a long period of time and we communicated with them before furlough that we trust them to do the right things.”

Wigan have yet to decide when they will formally return to training ahead of a restart, which is pencilled in for the middle of August.