Wigan Warriors’ Unparalleled Impact on Rugby League
Few clubs have contributed to the sport’s player pool quite like the iconic Wigan Warriors. Their academy, one of the most renowned in the world, has developed some of the greatest players in the game’s history, with dozens of former Warriors still plying their trade across Super League.
Underlining Wigan’s unparalleled impact, we can assemble a star-studded 13 of ex-academy graduates now playing for other clubs.
Emerging Talents and Seasoned Veterans
Leigh Leopards winger Umyla Hanley, who made his Wigan debut in 2020, has become a regular feature for the Leopards, scoring 12 tries in 15 appearances this year. His former teammate Tom Davies, a graduate in 2017, joined Catalans Dragons in 2020 and has since made 98 appearances, helping the club reach two Grand Finals. He will join Hull KR this off-season.
Oliver Gildart, who made 143 appearances for the Warriors before spells in the NRL, has returned to the UK with Hull KR, while his Robins teammate Joe Burgess, another Wigan academy product, has also joined the club after stints with several other sides.
“Wigan’s academy has produced some of the greatest players in the game’s history.”
Josh Charnley, who rose through the Wigan ranks to make 173 appearances, is currently a key figure for the Leigh Leopards, while England captain George Williams, arguably the most famous ex-Warrior, has been impressive for Warrington Wolves since rejoining the UK in 2022.
A Star-Studded Lineup
Other former Wigan players making our team include Salford Red Devils trio Joe Mellor, Oliver Partington, and Amir Bourouh, Warrington’s Joe Bullock, Leeds Rhinos’ James McDonnell, and Huddersfield Giants’ Harry Rushton, who had a brief spell with the Warriors before joining Canberra Raiders and then the Giants.
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