Wigan Warriors' Generation Next: Who will break through in 2021?

Last September, six young players debuted in a defeat against St Helens. Of those, Harry Rushton has since joined Canberra - but what are the prospects of the other five for this season?

Ben Kilner: Lam raised plenty of eyebrows when he rested so many frontline players for a Super League derby.

And when Wigan went on to lose to Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi-final days later, it appeared his plan had backfired.

But there were many positives to come from their 42-0 loss to Saints – not least the aggressive and all-action display of Yorkshireman Kilner.

Wigan have no shortage of competition for prop places but with Ben Flower and George Burgess leaving, Kilner will be hoping to edge into that mix in 2021.

Umyla Hanley: How many games will he have to play before it’s not mentioned who his dad is?

An exciting talent who is still 18, Hanley prefers to play full-back.

But with Bevan French in the No.1 role – and Jai Field also in the squad – he may have more chance of featuring on the wing.

Sam Halsall: He was sinbinned – arguably harshly – early in his debut but still emerged with credit.

A strong, dependable centre, the former Shevington junior (he was a Sharks team-mate of Saints’ Grand Final match-winner Jack Welsby) can also play on the wing. He is expected to start 2021 behind Jake Bibby in the pecking order, but with Chris Hankinson moving to London on loan, he isn’t far away from a first-team spot.

Indeed, if Bibby starts the season where he finished 2020 – on the wing – then Halsall or Hanley would be next in line if any of the backs get injured or suspended, at least until Liam Marshall’s return from injury in the summer.

Kai Pearce-Paul: Wigan signed the towering backrower from London more than a year ago, after being impressed with his performances for the Broncos’ Under-19s team.

He only played limited minutes in his one and only first-team appearance, but many are tipping him for a bright future.

Prop Ben Flower, now at Leigh, says he could become a “special” player. His dynamic running and offloads have the potential to bring an excitement to Wigan’s pack, and with Greenwood gone, don’t be surprised to see him poking into the side in 2021 especially when injuries bite into the pack.

James McDonnell: When he debuted in a young Wigan side last year, he started at centre – but the academy-graduate is seen as a backrow prospect.

His route to the first-team would appear to be blocked by several senior players but in his favour, Joe Greenwood and Jack Wells have moved on – to Huddersfield and Salford respectively – while Sean O’Loughlin has retired, with only one forward, John Bateman, arriving at the club.