2020 Wigan Warriors season

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Wigan Warriors 2020 season
Super League XXV Rank1st
Play-off resultRunners-up
Challenge CupSemi-finals
2020 recordWins: 15; Draws: 0; Losses: 6
Points scoredFor: 489; Against: 318[a]
Team information
ChairmanIan Lenagan
Head CoachAdrian Lam
Captain
StadiumDW Stadium
Avg. attendance12,222
Agg. attendance48,889
High attendance15,040
Low attendance10,333
Top scorers
TriesBevan French (17)
GoalsZak Hardaker (72)
PointsZak Hardaker (164)
Home colours
Away colours
< 2019 List of seasons 2021 >

The 2020 season is Wigan Warriors's 40th consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. During the season, they competed in the Super League XXV and the 2020 Challenge Cup.

Preseason friendlies[]

The 2020 pre-season saw three matches played including a testimonial, against Leeds Rhinos, for academy graduate Liam Farrell who has been playing for the first team since the 2010 season.[1] The first match against the London Skolars was a continuation of an anual event between the Warriors and Skolars, resulting in a 70-6 win by the away side. The second match against the Leeds Rhinos resulted in a 10-22 loss for Wigan. The final match against derby rivals Leigh Centurions, ended in a 6-12 loss for the Warriors.

Date Opponent H/A Result Scorers Att. Ref.
17 January 2020 Skolscolours.svg London Skolars A 70–6
19 January 2020 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos H 10–22 [2]
23 January 2020 Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions A 6–12 [3]

Super League[]

Wigan's New signing Jake Bibby celebrating winning the 2020 League Leaders' Shield
Main article: Super League XXV

Source:[4]

Regular season[]

Matches[]

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed/Cancelled/Expunged

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and Time MW Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance Position TV Report
30 January, 19:45 1 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves H DW Stadium W 16–10 French, Powell, Marshall Hardaker (2) 15,040 6th Sky Sports [5]
7 February, 19:45 2 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers A The Mend-A-Hose Jungle L 12–16 Byrne, Burgess Hardaker (2) 8,848 7th Not Aired [6]
13 February, 19:45 3 New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg Toronto Wolfpack H DW Stadium W 32–10 Smith, French (2), Burgess, Farrell (2) Hardaker (4) 10,333 2nd Sky Sports [7][b]
23 February, 19:45 4 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC H DW Stadium W 26–12 French, Manfredi, Hastings, Isa Hardaker (5) 12,005 2nd Not Aired [11]
1 March, 15:00 5 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants A John Smiths Stadium W 42–10 Isa, Marshall (3), Powell, Manfredi, Partington, Burgess Hardaker (5) 6,574 1st Not Aired [12]
8 March, 15:00 6 HKRcolours.svg Hull KR H DW Stadium W 30–16 Hastings (2), Farrell, Powell, Marshall Hardaker (5) 11,511 1st Not Aired [12]
13 March, 19:45 7 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils A AJ Bell Stadium L 14–18 Hastings, Powell Hankinson (3) 4,796 1st Sky Sports [13]
22 March, 15:00 8 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons H DW Stadium Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16 March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3 April.[14]
27 March, 19:45 9 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity A The Mobile Rocket Stadium
Indefinite suspension of the Super League announced on 24 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
On 26 June the RFL announced the Super League would return on 2 August.[16]
9 August, 15:15 8 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity N Headingley Stadium W 23–22 Hardaker, French, Marshall, Bibby Hardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Smith 		Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 1st Sky Sports [18]
16 August, 18:30 9 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos N Totally Wicked Stadium W 28–10 Farrell, Manfredi, French (2), Bibby Hardaker (4) 1st Sky Sports [19]
29 August, 16:15 10 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons N Halliwell Jones Stadium Postponed due to two Catalans Dragons players testing positive for COVID-19. Wigan's schedule was changed to play their round 18 tie against Castleford Tigers instead, who had been freed up in round 10 due to Toronto Wolfpack's earlier exit from the competition.[20][21]
NB: This match was set to be aired on Sky Sports.
29 August, 16:15 18 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers N Halliwell Jones Stadium W 30–22 Powell, Burgess, Farrell, Bullock, Flower Hardaker (5) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 1st Sky Sports [22]
3 September, 18:00 11 HKRcolours.svg Hull KR N Headingley Stadium L 18–34 Powell, Hastings, Smith Hardaker (3) 3rd >> 4th[c] Sky Sports [24]
12 September, 17:00 12 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus W 28–18 Gildart, French, Burgess (2), Powell Hardaker (4) 5,000[d] 3rd Sky Sports [25]
25 September, 20:15 13 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity N Halliwell Jones Stadium W 28–16 Hastings, French (2), Powell, Gildart Hardaker (4) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 3rd Sky Sports [26]
29 September, 19:45 14 Saintscolours.svg St Helens N AJ Bell Stadium L 0–42 4th Sky Sports [27]
9 October, 19:45 15 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves N Headingley Stadium W 18–14 Greenwood, Hardaker, Farrell Hardaker (3) 2nd Sky Sports [28]
14 October 16 New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg Toronto Wolfpack A Lamport Stadium Fixture cancelled following Toronto Wolfpack withdrawal from the Super League 2020.[9]
15 October, 17:30 10 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons N Halliwell Jones Stadium Postponed due to several Wigan Warriors players testing positive for COVID-19.[29] The match was later cancelled as a revised date was unable to be arranged.[30]
NB: This match was set to be aired on Sky Sports.
23 October, 17:30 17 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils N Totally Wicked Stadium W 58–12 Powell (2), Farrell (2), French (3), Hastings, Gildart (2) Hardaker (9) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] 2nd Sky Sports [31]
30 October, 19:45 19 Saintscolours.svg St Helens N Totally Wicked Stadium W 18–6 Bibby, Leuluai, French, Hastings Hardaker 1st Sky Sports [32]
6 November, 19:45 20 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants N Headingley Stadium W 19–6 Powell, Hastings, Hardaker Hardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Hastings 		1st Sky Sports [33]
8/9 November 21 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos Cancelled: Due to a significantly higher proportion of positive COVID-19 tests in the Hull KR squad, a decision was made to curtail the remainder of the season on 3 November. Select matches would still go ahead to enable all teams to have played a similar number of games.[30]
12/13 November 22 Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C.

League table[]

  • v
  • t
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PP WPCT Qualification
1 Wigancolours.svg Wigan Warriors 17 13 0 4 408 278 146.8 76.47 League Leaders Shield/Play-off semi-final 1
2 Saintscolours.svg St Helens 17 12 0 5 469 195 240.5 70.59[A] Play-off semi-final 2
3 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 17 12[B] 0 5 365 204 178.9 70.59 Elimination play-off
4 Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons 13 8 0 5 376 259 145.2 61.54
5 Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos 17 10 0 7 369 390 94.6 58.82
6 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC 17 9 0 8 405 436 92.9 52.94
7 Giantscolours.svg Huddersfield Giants[C] 18 7 0 11 318 367 86.6 38.89
8 Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers 16 6 0 10 328 379 86.5 37.50
9 Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils 18 8 0 10[B] 354 469 75.50 27.78[D]
10 Wcatscolours.svg Wakefield Trinity 19 5 0 13 324 503 64.4 26.32
11 HKRcolours.svg Hull Kingston Rovers 17 3 0 14 290 526 55.1 17.65

Source:"Betfred Super League Table". BBC Sport. 11 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.

Notes

  1. ^ Where teams have the same win percentage, position is decided by points scored percentage (points scored divided by points conceded).[34]
  2. ^ a b Salford forfeited a game against Warrington. Under RFL operational rules, the game is recorded as a 24–0 victory for Warrington and converse loss for Salford with the points scored/conceded applying to both teams.[35]
  3. ^ Huddersfield were placed on standby to take the place of any of the four teams in the elimination finals should one be unable to fulfil their fixture.[36]
  4. ^ Salford deducted three wins by the Rugby Football League for failing to meet the terms of a financial commitment agreed in 2013.[37]

Play-offs[]

Main article: Super League XXV § Play-offs

  Win   Draw   Loss

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and Time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
19 November, 19:45 Semi Final Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. H DW Stadium W 29–2 Burgess, Smith, Hardaker, Bibby, French Hardaker (4)
Drop-goals: Smith 		Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] Sky Sports [38]
27 November, 20:00 Grand Final Saintscolours.svg St Helens N KCOM Stadium L 4–8 Bibby Sky Sports [39]

Challenge Cup[]

Main article: 2020 Challenge Cup

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed/Cancelled

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and Time Round Versus H/A Venue Result Score Tries Goals Attendance TV Report
4/5 April Sixth Round Wolvescolours.svgWarrington Wolves H DW Stadium Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16 March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3 April.[14]
22 August, 14:30 Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves N Kirklees Stadium Cancelled: Due to the withdrawal of tier 2 and tier 3 clubs, and Toronto Wolfpack from the competition, all sixth round will be redrawn.[40] Wigan was one of the six teams to receive a bye to the quarter finals.[41]
NB: This match was set to be aired on BBC One.[42]
19 September, 17:00 Quarter Final Hullcolours.svg Hull F.C. N AJ Bell Stadium W 36–4 Powell, Farrell (2), French (2), Burgess, Gildart Hardaker (4) Played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] BBC Two [43]
3 October, 14:30 Semi Final Rhinoscolours.svg Leeds Rhinos N Totally Wicked Stadium L 12–26 Smith, Hardaker Hardaker (2) BBC One [44]

Transfers[]

In[]

Player From Contract Date Ref.
England Jake Bibby Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils 3 Years June 2019 [45]
England George Burgess South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs 2 Years June 2019 [46]
Māori people Mitch Clark Castleford colours.svg Castleford Tigers 2 Years June 2019 [47]
United Kingdom[e] Jackson Hastings Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils 3 Years July 2019 [48]
Australia Bevan French Parramatta colours.svg Parramatta Eels 2 Years July 2019 [49]
England Kai Pearce-Paul Broncoscolours.png London Broncos 4 Years November 2019 [50]
Ireland Brad Singleton New Zealand Kiwis colours.svg Toronto Wolfpack 3 Years September 2020 [29]

Out[]

Player To Contract Date Ref.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Samy Kibula Wolvescolours.svg Warrington Wolves 1 Year September 2019 [51]
England Caine Barnes Workingtoncolours.svg Workington Town Undisclosed September 2019 [51]
England Dan Sarginson Redscolours.svg Salford Red Devils Undisclosed October 2019 [52]
England George Williams Canberra colours.svg Canberra Raiders 2 Years October 2019 [53]
England James Worthington Oldhamcolours.svg Oldham Roughyeds 1 Year October 2019
England Callum Field Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions Undisclosed November 2019
England Tom Davies Catalanscolours.svg Catalans Dragons 2 Years November 2019 [54]
England Sam Grant Swintoncolours.svg Swinton Lions 1 Year November 2019
England Mikey Fitz Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla Sharks 3 Years November 2019
France Morgan Escaré Released[f] N/A June 2020 [55]

Loans Out[]

Player To Contract Date Ref.
England Josh Woods Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions 1 Year December 2019
England Craig Mullen Leigh colours.svg Leigh Centurions 1 Year December 2019

Squad[]

2020 Wigan Warriors Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • Injury icon 2.svg Injured

Updated: 15 November 2019
Source(s): 2020 Squad Numbers

Notes[]

  1. ^ Does not include expunged win against Toronto Wolfpack
  2. ^ Following Toronto Wolfpack's decision to withdraw from the 2020 Super League due to the COVID-19 pandemic,[8] all previous results involving Toronto Wolfpack would be expunged from the 2020 season record.[9][10]
  3. ^ Due to the number of games being postponed and the limited opportunities to reschedule the Super League changed the format of the table so positions would be based of win percentage thus allowing for an even competition if teams don't play all 20 matches.[23]
  4. ^ Due to the difference in regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in France, a capped attendance of 5,000 was permitted for the game.
  5. ^ a b Jackson Hastings is Australian of British descent. He has been capped by Great Britain but is yet to represent a Home Nation.
  6. ^ Later joined Salford Red Devils
  7. ^ James McDonnell is currently undeclared for a national side and is elegible for either England or Ireland

References[]

  1. ^ "Liam Farrell Testimonial Preview | News | Wigan Warriors". www.wiganwarriors.com.
  2. ^ "Wigan Warriors