Finn McMillan reflects on Wigan Warriors development and outlines goals after Super League debut

Finn McMillan believes his first six months at Wigan Warriors have already helped him develop as a player as he targets further first-team opportunities in the not-too-distant future.

The 20-year-old forward joined the Warriors from Championship side Barrow Raiders in December on a two-year deal, with the option of a third year in the club’s favour.

After making 13 appearances for his hometown club Barrow, McMillan took the step into a full-time professional environment for the first time and admits he has relished every minute of it.

“I’ve really enjoyed it so far,” McMillan told Wigan Today.

“Learning all the shapes and playing with these reserve boys has been good - they’ve been helping me out, so I’m just enjoying what we’ve been able to do so far, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

The Cumbrian prop got his first taste of Super League action last month when head coach Matt Peet heavily rotated his side for the trip to Hull KR, one week before the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

McMillan was one of 10 players to make their senior Wigan debuts that night at Sewell Group Craven Park, gaining valuable experience despite the youthful Warriors suffering a 62-4 defeat.

Looking back on his debut, McMillan admits the pace of the competition was the biggest eye-opener.

“It was a good experience,” he said. “It was a lot quicker than what I’m used to, so I just need to get used to the speed of things at that level.

“I thought the physicality was less than I was expecting, but the speed was a lot more than what I thought it would be, so it was kind of levelled out.”

Since arriving at Wigan, McMillan has developed physically, with the demands of full-time training initially causing him to lose weight before he began rebuilding his frame.

“I’ve put a little bit (of weight) on,” he said. “I actually lost a bit of weight since I’d joined due to the fitness and training, so I’m slowly putting it back on, and I’m feeling good at the moment.”

One of the biggest benefits of joining Wigan has been the opportunity for McMillan to learn from an experienced group of senior forwards.

With the likes of Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington and Kaide Ellis around him every day, McMillan says he is constantly picking up new ideas to improve his own game.

“It’s been brilliant,” he said. “Just watching them at training, you pick up little things that they do and you try to replicate it in your game and they set a good example for us all to learn from.

“You just want to become the next version of them, so it’s good to be learning from them pretty much every day.

“They speak to you all the time, they are good role models, they give you tips on everything, so they are great people to be around.”

While his immediate focus remains on performing well for Wigan’s reserves, who have won 10 from 10 this year, McMillan is eager to build on his senior debut if another opportunity arises.

The Warriors currently sit top of the Reserves League and remain among the favourites to reach the Reserves Grand Final later this season.

“My goal is, if the chance comes, to play another Super League game,” McMillan said. “But at the moment, it’s just about concentrating on the reserves, hopefully getting to the Grand Final and hopefully winning it.”