Wigan Warriors can today reveal their squad numbers for engage Super League XVI with the three new signings from Melbourne Storm, Jeff Lima, Ryan Hoffman and Brett Finch given numbers 15, 16 and 17 respectively.
Finch replaces Mark Riddell, whilst Lima and Hoffman replace Iafeta Paleaaesina and Phil Bailey in the Warriors squad.
Paul Deacon takes Sam Tomkins' number 6 shirt, who moves up to number 1 following his switch to Full Back last season. Both Deacon and Karl Pryce agreed new one-year contracts with the Warriors last week and Pryce will wear number 26 after scoring 13 tries in 9 games, giving Michael Maguire strength in depth in the outside backs.
In other changes, England International Darrell Goulding is awarded squad number 2 following a strong year and Michael McIlorum takes the number 9 jersey off the departed Mark Riddell.
Squad Number 18 will remain as the Warriors Fans as the Club continues to mark the importance their supporters as the 18th man, a feat which saw the Club become Britain's Best Supported Team in Super League during 2010.
Speaking about the declaration of the squad numbers Chairman Ian Lenagan said,
"Our squad looks to have a good balance of both youth and experience and we are all looking forward to seeing our new signings of Brett, Jeff and Ryan in a Wigan Warriors shirt for 2011. We continue to recognise the importance of our home grown players, with Sam and Darrell taking shirts one and two and both Joel and Harrison retaining last year's squad numbers despite competition from our new recruits.
"Michael has made it clear that squad numbers have to be earned and although we have six new young players who have stepped up from our Reserve Grade last season, they have not yet been awarded 2011 squad numbers. If they do earn a call up they will be rewarded with a number as the season progresses."
Head Coach Michael Maguire added,
" I am delighted with the shape and the strength of our squad for 2011 and our new additions of Brett, Jeff and Ryan will add stiff competition to an already strong squad. We are looking forward to the new season as the Club looks to build on its success of winning last season's Grand Final."
Wigan Warriors 2011 Squad Numbers
|
Squad
Number
|
Player's
Name
|
|
1
|
SAM TOMKINS
|
|
2
|
DARRELL GOULDING
|
|
3
|
MARTIN GLEESON
|
|
4
|
GEORGE CARMONT
|
|
5
|
PAT RICHARDS
|
|
6
|
PAUL DEACON
|
|
7
|
THOMAS LEULUAI
|
|
8
|
STUART FIELDEN
|
|
9
|
MICHAEL McILORUM
|
|
10
|
ANDY COLEY
|
|
11
|
HARRISON HANSEN
|
|
12
|
JOEL TOMKINS
|
|
13
|
SEAN O'LOUGHLIN
|
|
14
|
PAUL PRESCOTT
|
|
15
|
JEFF LIMA
|
|
16
|
RYAN HOFFMAN
|
|
17
|
BRETT FINCH
|
|
18
|
WIGAN WARRIORS FANS
|
|
19
|
AMOS ROBERTS
|
|
20
|
EAMON O'CARROLL
|
|
21
|
LEE MOSSOP
|
|
22
|
LIAM FARRELL
|
|
23
|
CHRIS TUSON
|
|
24
|
STEFAN MARSH
|
|
25
|
JOSH CHARNLEY
|
|
26
|
KARL PRYCE
|
|
27
|
BEN DAVIES |
|
28
|
JONNY WALKER
|