Zach Eckersley on ‘upward trajectory’ as Wigan Warriors starlet earns praise from coach amid ‘good season’

The 21-year-old has proven to be an important player for the reigning Super League champions this season, given his versatility to play anywhere in the backline, featuring in 17 of Wigan’s 21 league matches so far in 2025.

Eckersley has shown impressive glimpses of what he can do with and without the ball in recent weeks, earning Sky Sports’ Player of the Match award in the Warriors’ 24-18 win over Warrington Wolves last weekend.

"I think he has had a good season,” said Peet. “He is on an upward trajectory.

"He won’t get it all his own way; he’ll have good days and bad, but last week was certainly another positive night for him, and that’s a testament to the hard work he puts in.

"He is looking better and better physically all the time, and he has come to terms with Super League from a physical point of view, so he can now show his skill, which he has always been capable of.”

Eckersley is a centre by trade, but he has featured mainly on the wing for Peet’s side in 2025, and has also filled the void at fullback a couple of times.

The Oldham native was a sprinter and played football in his youth before deciding to give everything he had in pursuing his dream of becoming a professional rugby league player.

Eckersley is a joy to watch in full flight, but Peet has also been impressed with the way he has adapted to Super League physically, with his defensive capabilities coming to the fore in recent weeks.

"The defensive side of it, there are a lot of physical, fast and strong athletes (in Super League),” Peet added.

"Teams have got great attacking shapes with smart coaches, and they know when there are young players in there that there’s potential to target them and expose them with attacking play, so it’s a tough place to be at times and a tough schooling, but that’s what we want to see from our young players.”