2020 Wigan Warriors season

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.

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[lower-alpha 1]
Team information
ChairmanIan Lenagan
Head CoachAdrian Lam
Captain
StadiumDW Stadium
Avg. Attend.12,222
Agg. Attend.48,889
High. Attend.15,040
Low. Attend.10,333
Top scorers
TriesBevan French (17)
GoalsZak Hardaker (72)
PointsZak Hardaker (164)
Home colours
Away colours
< 2019 List of seasons 2021 >

Preseason friendlies

The 2020 pre-season saw three match 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]

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

Super League
Main article: Super League XXV

Source:[4]

Matches

  Win   Draw   Loss   Postponed/Cancelled/Expunged

  • All fixtures are subject to change
Date and TimeMWVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendancePositionTVReport
30 January, 19:451 Warrington WolvesHDW StadiumW16–10French, Powell, MarshallHardaker (2)15,0406thSky Sports[5]
7 February, 19:452 Castleford TigersAThe Mend-A-Hose JungleL12–16Byrne, BurgessHardaker (2)8,8487thNot Aired[6]
13 February, 19:453 Toronto WolfpackHDW StadiumW32–10Smith, French (2), Burgess, Farrell (2)Hardaker (4)10,3332ndSky Sports [7][lower-alpha 2]
23 February, 19:454 Hull FCHDW StadiumW26–12French, Manfredi, Hastings, IsaHardaker (5)12,0052ndNot Aired [11]
1 March, 15:005 Huddersfield GiantsAJohn Smiths StadiumW42–10Isa, Marshall (3), Powell, Manfredi, Partington, BurgessHardaker (5)6,5741stNot Aired[12]
8 March, 15:006 Hull KRHDW StadiumW30–16Hastings (2), Farrell, Powell, MarshallHardaker (5)11,5111stNot Aired[12]
13 March, 19:457 Salford Red DevilsAAJ Bell StadiumL14–18Hastings, PowellHankinson (3)4,7961stSky Sports[13]
22 March, 15:008 Catalans DragonsHDW Stadium Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16th March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3rd April.[14]
27 March, 19:459 Wakefield TrinityAThe Mobile Rocket Stadium
Indefinite suspension of the Super League announced on 24th March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[15]
On 26th June the RFL announced the Super League would return on 2nd August.[16]
9 August, 15:15 8 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 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 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 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 Hull KR N Headingley Stadium L 18–34 Powell, Hastings, Smith Hardaker (3) 3rd >> 4th[lower-alpha 3] Sky Sports [24]
12 September, 17:00 12 Catalans Dragons A Stade Gilbert Brutus W 28–18 Gildart, French, Burgess (2), Powell Hardaker (4) 5,000[lower-alpha 4] 3rd Sky Sports [25]
25 September, 20:15 13 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 St Helens N AJ Bell Stadium L 0–42 4th Sky Sports [27]
9 October, 19:45 15 Warrington Wolves N Headingley Stadium W 18–14 Greenwood, Hardaker, Farrell Hardaker (3) 2nd Sky Sports [28]
14 October 16 Toronto Wolfpack A Lamport Stadium Fixture cancelled following Toronto Wolfpack withdrawal from the Super League 2020.[9]
15 October, 17:30 10 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 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 St Helens N Totally Wicked Stadium W 18–6 Bibby, Leuluai, French, Hastings Hardaker 1st Sky Sports [32]
6 November, 19:45 20 Huddersfield Giants N Headingley Stadium W 19–6 Powell, Hastings, Hardaker Hardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Hastings		 1st Sky Sports [33]
8/9 November 21 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 Hull F.C.

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PP WPCT Qualification
1 Wigan Warriors 17 13 0 4 408 278 146.8 76.47 League Leaders Shield/Play-off semi-final 1
2 St Helens 17 12 0 5 469 195 240.5 70.59[upper-alpha 1] Play-off semi-final 2
3 Warrington Wolves 17 12[upper-alpha 2] 0 5 365 204 178.9 70.59 Elimination play-off
4 Catalans Dragons 13 8 0 5 376 259 145.2 61.54
5 Leeds Rhinos 17 10 0 7 369 390 94.6 58.82
6 Hull FC 17 9 0 8 405 436 92.9 52.94
7 Huddersfield Giants[upper-alpha 3] 18 7 0 11 318 367 86.6 38.89
8 Castleford Tigers 16 6 0 10 328 379 86.5 37.50
9 Salford Red Devils 18 8 0 10[upper-alpha 2] 354 469 75.50 27.78[upper-alpha 4]
10 Wakefield Trinity 19 5 0 13 324 503 64.4 26.32
11 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. 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 TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
19 November, 19:45 Semi Final 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 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 TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
4/5 April Sixth Round Warrington Wolves H DW Stadium Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16th March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3rd April.[14]
22 August, 14:30 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 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 Leeds Rhinos N Totally Wicked Stadium L 12–26 Smith, Hardaker Hardaker (2) BBC One [44]

Transfers

In
Player From Contract Date Ref.
Jake Bibby Salford Red Devils 3 Years June 2019 [45]
George Burgess South Sydney Rabbitohs 2 Years June 2019 [46]
Mitch Clark Castleford Tigers 2 Years June 2019 [47]
[lower-alpha 5] Jackson Hastings Salford Red Devils 3 Years July 2019 [48]
Bevan French Parramatta Eels 2 Years July 2019 [49]
Kai Pearce-Paul London Broncos 4 Years November 2019 [50]
Brad Singleton Toronto Wolfpack 3 Years September 2020 [51]

Out
Player To Contract Date Ref.
Samy Kibula Warrington Wolves 1 Year September 2019 [52]
Caine Barnes Workington Town Undisclosed September 2019 [52]
Dan Sarginson Salford Red Devils Undisclosed October 2019 [53]
George Williams Canberra Raiders 2 Years October 2019 [54]
James Worthington Oldham Roughyeds 1 Year October 2019
Callum Field Leigh Centurions Undisclosed November 2019
Tom Davies Catalans Dragons 2 Years November 2019 [55]
Sam Grant Swinton Lions 1 Year November 2019
Mikey Fitz Cronulla Sharks 3 Years November 2019
Morgan Escaré Released[lower-alpha 6] N/A June 2020 [56]

Loans Out
Player To Contract Date Ref.
Josh Woods Leigh Centurions 1 Year December 2019
Craig Mullen 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)
  • 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. 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 🍒⚪ (at 🏡)'s Instagram photo: "FULL TIME | Wigan Warriors 10-22 Leeds Rhinos . Wigan Warriors suffer a 10-22 defeat against Leeds Rhinos at the DW Stadium in Liam…"". Instagram.
  3. "Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪ (at 🏡) on Instagram: "FULL TIME | Leigh 12-6 Wigan . The Warriors suffer defeat in their final friendly game. A great effort from a youthful Wigan side to…"". Instagram.
  4. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/competitions/super-league/results/2020-21
  5. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/11920679/super-league-2020-wigan-warriors-vs-warrington-wolves-talking-points
  6. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/11928593/castleford-16-12-wigan-tigers-punish-indisciplined-warriors
  7. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/11933307/wigan-warriors-32-10-toronto-wolfpack-bevan-french-and-liam-farrell-keep-wolfpack-at-bay
  8. https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2020/jul/20/toronto-wolfpack-exit-super-league-season-casting-doubt-on-clubs-future
  9. https://amp.sportsmole.co.uk/rugby-league/toronto-wolfpack/news/toronto-wolfpack-season-record-discarded-following-withdrawal_407695.html
  10. https://www.peeblesshirenews.com/sport/national-sport/18603623.toronto-wolfpack-season-record-expunged-following-super-league-withdrawal/
  11. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/11941658/wigan-26-12-hull-fc-bevan-french-and-jackson-hastings-inspire-warriors
  12. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/11947272/huddersfield-10-42-wigan-liam-marshall-hat-trick-sends-warriors-to-top-of-the-table
  13. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/11957239/salford-18-14-wigan-red-devils-come-from-12-points-down-to-claim-super-league-win
  14. "Coronavirus: Rugby Football League suspends season until 3 April". March 16, 2020 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  15. "Update: Season Suspension". www.superleague.co.uk.
  16. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/rugby-league-news/super-league-season-restart-tv-4268520
  17. https://www.skysports.com/amp/rugby-league/news/12204/12029511/super-league-21-games-in-29-days-in-august-as-fixtures-for-rest-of-2020-regular-season-are-revealed
  18. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wakefield-vs-wigan/report/54233
  19. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-leeds/54449
  20. https://amp.theguardian.com/sport/2020/aug/25/catalans-trio-test-positive-for-covid-19-as-super-league-reschedules-again
  21. https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2020/08/25/wigan-to-play-castleford-in-r10-after-catalans-clash-postponed/
  22. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-castleford/54488
  23. https://www.rugby-league.com/article/57071/-betfred-super-league--competition-update
  24. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/hull-k-r-vs-wigan/54472
  25. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/catalans-vs-wigan/54468
  26. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-wakefield/54285
  27. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-st-helens/54569
  28. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/warrington-vs-wigan/54297
  29. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVJfE9A9T0/?hl=en
  30. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/54794980
  31. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-salford/54309
  32. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/st-helens-vs-wigan/report/54319
  33. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-huddersfield/54327
  34. "2020 Betfred Super League Competition Update". Rugby Football League. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2020.
  35. "Super League: Huddersfield v Castleford, and Warrington v Salford cancelled". BBC Sport. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  36. "Huddersfield season officially over". www.giantsrl.com. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  37. "Salford Red Devils: Super League club deducted three wins over financial breach". BBC sport. 3 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  38. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-hull/live/54748
  39. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-st-helens/54768
  40. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/53565124
  41. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/live-challenge-cup-draw-rugby-4376157.amp
  42. https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/rugby-league-news/challenge-cup-fixtures-final-confirmed-4336298.amp
  43. https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/rugby-league/54149426
  44. https://www.bbc.com/sport/amp/rugby-league/54330710
  45. "Jake Bibby joins Wigan | News | Wigan Warriors".
  46. "Wigan lure George Burgess to Super League | News | Wigan Warriors".
  47. "In focus: Mitch Clark | News | Wigan Warriors".
  48. "Hastings to become a Warrior | News | Wigan Warriors".
  49. "Bevan French signs with the Warriors | News | Wigan Warriors".
  50. "Wigan sign Broncos youngster | News | Wigan Warriors".
  51. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFO76ZIF4lD/?hl=en
  52. "barnes and kibula to leave wigan". Wigan Warriors. 10 September 2019.
  53. "Farewell Dan Sarginson | News | Wigan Warriors".
  54. "Farewell George Williams | News | Wigan Warriors".
  55. "Davies Leaves Wigan for Catalans | News | Wigan Warriors".
  56. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/rugby-league/53048540
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.