Wigan Warriors Grand Final winner makes Championship loan move

Wigan Warriors hooker Tom Forber has joined Championship outfit Oldham on loan for the remainder of the season.

The 23-year-old has linked up with the Roughyeds in search of regular game time, having found opportunities limited with the Warriors at first-team level this year.

With Brad O’Neill being Wigan’s starting hooker and regularly playing big minutes, as well as the emergence of the versatile Taylor Kerr as a bench option, Forber has found chances hard to come by, having made just five appearances for Wigan this term.

Forber has already had loan spells with Castleford Tigers and Barrow Raiders this season, but he has now secured a more permanent move, having signed for Oldham on loan for the rest of the Championship campaign.

The Roughyeds lost hooker Cole Geyer to Huddersfield Giants and halfback Riley Dean to Bradford Bulls earlier this year, with Forber now brought in to bolster their spine options from now until the end of the season.

“We’re really pleased to bring in Tom Forber,” said Oldham coach Alan Kilshaw. “With Cole (Geyer) and Riley (Dean) leaving, we have been a little bit light in the spine.

“We have been very grateful to Warrington in getting Ben Hartill and Daniel Regan last week, but now we have someone who will be with us every week.

“He is very popular among the playing group from his performances last season, and I know the supporters will welcome this announcement as well.

“I am looking forward to working with him and seeing him in an Oldham shirt.”

Forber is one of 24 homegrown players who have taken to the field for Wigan this year, with four of his five appearances coming from the bench.

The Warrington-born hooker has played 22 games for Matt Peet’s side since debuting in 2022, including featuring from the bench in Wigan’s Super League Grand Final win over Hull KR in 2024.

Forber has previously made nine appearances for Oldham on loan across the 2022, 2023 and 2025 seasons. He has also featured for Newcastle Thunder, Wakefield Trinity, Whitehaven and Widnes Vikings during his time as a Wigan first-team player.

Forber is contracted to the Warriors until the end of the 2030 season, having penned a long-term deal midway through last year.