Wigan Warriors: Seven reasons to be cheerful about new season

Bateman's return: After two years away taking the NRL by storm, John Bateman is back.

And is there another forward in world rugby league you’d rather add to the pack following Sean O’Loughlin’s retirement?

He has the aggression, competitiveness, doggedness and skill-set to bolster an already strong pack.

Bateman has impressed upon his return without picking up the ball, declaring his intention and ambition to help the club to a clean-sweep of silverware this season.

It’s a bold admission but that kind of confidence can only rub off on those around him.

Bateman, who played five seasons at Wigan before moving to Australia, has signed a four-year deal with the club.

The Warriors made use of the marquee player allowance to get him on board, and he has vowed to repay that show of faith.

Field day for the attack: Jai Field has pace to burn and is, ideally, a full-back or halfback. Where is he going to fit in?

Nobody knows. But it’s going to be exciting finding out!

And it will be exciting to see him link-up with two of his former junior team-mates, halfback Jackson Hastings and full-back Bevan French.

Throw in centres Zak Hardaker and Oliver Gildart, and a fit-again winger Dom Manfredi, and Wigan have a potent-looking attack this season... even if there is a question mark over who will start in the other wing spot until Liam Marshall returns from injury.

Wigan’s form: Adrian Lam’s side didn’t limp into the Grand Final – they were playing well, attacking with style and limiting their opponents to an average of a try-a-game.

Many players have referenced their 26-12 loss to Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi-final as a turning point.

From then, it was as if a switch had been flicked, as they marched to five impressive victories before being edged out by St Helens in an epic title-decider.

And with a largely-settled squad, there’s every chance that strong form - fueled by their Grand Final heartache – will continue when the new campaign gets under way.

The new fixtures aren’t out yet, but their first meeting with Saints, probably on Good Friday, will be hugely anticipated.

Another derby: Whatever your thoughts on replacing Toronto with Leigh, the elevation of Wigan’s borough rivals will create another derby in the fixture list.

The Centurions beat the Warriors the last time they were in the top-flight in 2017.

And they appear to have a strong squad, with no shortage of ex-Wigan players led by prop Ben Flower.

Seven burning questions for Wigan Warriors fans

Young blood: Lam deserves plenty of credit for giving young players a chance during his two years in charge.

Morgan Smithies, Ethan Havard and Joe Shorrocks are among those who have taken their chances – and the prospect of seeing them develop and improve is another compelling reason why Wigan look in good shape.

Other academy-products, including Umyla Hanley and Ben Kilner, made their debuts last season and look on course for more action this time around, while ex-London forward Kai Pearce-Paul has been tipped by his coaches for a bright future.

Star signings elsewhere: Sure, some Wigan fans are only concerned about their only club. But those who take an interest in their rivals, or enjoy watching ‘neutral’ games on TV, there are many new recruits to keep an eye out for.

Australian superstar Greg Inglis will be under the spotlight when he returns to the game with Warrington after more than a year in retirement.

Hull FC hope Josh Reynolds will give them some guidance at half-back – they have a new coach, too, in former Man of Steel Brett Hodgson – while across the city, Brad Takarangi and Korbin Sims should add some strike to Hull KR.

St Helens (Joel Thompson), Leeds (Zane Tetevano), Salford (Elijah Taylor) and Wakefield (Mason Lino) have also brought in new players to the competition, while Huddersfield new coach Ian Watson has recruited shrewdly, bringing ex-Toronto centre Ricky Leutele back - following a stint with Melbourne - and raiding Wigan for Joe Greenwood.

Shaun Wane’s England and a World Cup: The last time a World Cup game was held on this soil, 74,000 fans packed into Old Trafford to see Australia beat New Zealand.

Now, eight years on, England will be hoping to give the sport in this country a huge boost by delivering the silverware.

The tournament itself looks exciting, with 16 teams taking part including newcomers Jamaica and Greece, a match at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and women’s and wheelchair competitions also taking part.

And there will be many hoping the appointment of Wane England coach will help the 2017 finalists take the next step.

Wane, who saw last autumn’s Ashes series scrapped due to Covid-19, is hoping for a mid-season international – possibly against France or a revived-Exiles side – to aid his preparation.