Wigan Warriors forward Sam Walters determined to make up for lost time after suspension return

Sam Walters is determined to make up for lost time after returning from suspension, with the Wigan Warriors forward targeting a strong finish to the 2026 campaign.

The versatile 25-year-old forward returned to action in Wigan’s derby victory over St Helens a fortnight ago after serving a lengthy ban following his Grade F dangerous throw/lift charge in the Challenge Cup final win over Hull KR at Wembley in May.

Although pleased to be back in Matt Peet’s side, Walters admitted the spell on the sidelines was a difficult one.

“It was good (to return),” he said. “Obviously, a long time coming, it’s not easy being out for seven weeks, even though it’s my own fault, but I’m just grateful to be back playing in the squad.”

Walters described the suspension as an emotional period, coming just days after Wigan lifted the Challenge Cup under the famous Wembley arch.

“At first, it was a weird feeling because you’d just come off the high of winning your first trophy, but also getting a red card is never something that you imagine that game to be like,” he said.

“I felt I dealt with it pretty well. I said to the performance staff here that we had seven weeks, so I just wanted to get after it (my fitness) a bit and just push myself and also make sure my body is in a good place for when I came back, and that I could add some spark to the team.

“I felt like I supported the squad in that time period and although I was upset at not playing, it was nice to take that step back, look at the squad, look at some of the young boys coming in to do some special stuff, so I was also very grateful to be part of this club and what we’ve got going on here is pretty special at the moment.”

During Walters’ absence, Wigan endured somewhat of an injury crisis, with a host of young players stepping into the first-team.

“Watching those games, I became more nervous than I was playing because I’ve got no effect on the result, but it was so good to see the young boys play,” he said.

“I can’t even name how many young boys have stepped up this year, I feel like they all have different games themselves, like (Josh) Cartwright coming in and having that special game (against Warrington Wolves). At the start of the year you couldn’t really write that or imagine that, so I’m just so pleased and proud of those lads and fair play to them for stepping up and making that game their own.

“It takes a full season and a full squad to do something special, so I think we’re on the right lines with that at the moment.”

Walters treated the suspension as an opportunity to improve physically.

“Double gym and just staying behind doing extra running and stuff like that, making sure that my loads are pretty much the same because I cover quite a lot of distance in a game,” he added. “It’s just about making sure that I am in that zone, but it was also just a nice chance to get some size on and keep on top of my gym and any niggles as well.”

Now back in the side, Walters is focused on consistency over the closing weeks of the regular campaign.

“I just want to build on performances,” he said.

“Obviously 10 games missed of the year is not good enough and I’m the first one to kick myself before anyone else needs to, so I just want to put my best foot forward for the team and I feel like I’m a team player as it is, but when I let the boys down like that, I’m the one that feels bad as well, so I just want to get back to playing good rugby consistently.

“I feel like we’ve got a good squad at the moment and I feel like over the last 10 weeks, we’re sort of finding our groove, but I feel like we’ve got a little bit more in us as well, so it’s just consistency in my game and big moments will come.”