2020 Wigan Warriors season explained

Wigan Warriors 2020 season
Year:2020
Team Colour:
  1. DC143C
Font Colour:White
League:Super League
League Rank:1st
League Wins:14
League Draws:0
League Losses:5
Points For:489
Points Against:318
Playoff Result:Runners-up
Cup:Challenge Cup
Cup Result:Semi-finals
Cup Wins:1
Cup Losses:1
Ceo Title:Chairman
Coach Title:Head Coach
Agg Attendance:48,889
Avg Attendance:12,222
High Attendance:15,040
Low Attendance:10,333
Top Tries:Bevan French (17)
Top Goals:Zak Hardaker (72)
Top Points:Zak Hardaker (164)
List:yes
List Link:List of Wigan Warriors seasons
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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 annual 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.

DateOpponentH/AResultScorersAtt.Ref.
17 January 2020 London SkolarsA70–6
19 January 2020 Leeds RhinosH 10–22[2]
23 January 2020 Leigh Centurions6–12[3]

Super League

See main article: Super League XXV.

Source:[4]

Regular season

Matches

Date and TimeMWVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendancePositionTVReport
  30 January, 19:451 Warrington WolvesHW 16–10 Hardaker (2) 15,040 6th[5]
7 February, 19:452 Castleford TigersAL 12–16 Hardaker (2) 8,848 7th Not Aired [6]
13 February, 19:453 Toronto WolfpackHW 32–10 Smith, French (2), Burgess, Farrell (2) Hardaker (4) 10,333 2ndSky Sports[7]
23 February, 19:454 Hull FCHW 26–12 Hardaker (5) 12,0052ndNot Aired[8]
1 March, 15:005 Huddersfield GiantsAW 42–10 Hardaker (5) 6,574 1stNot Aired[9]
8 March, 15:006 Hull KRHW 30–16 Hardaker (5) 11,5111stNot Aired
13 March, 19:457 Salford Red DevilsAL 14–18 Hankinson (3) 4,796 1st[10]
22 March, 15:008 Catalans DragonsHPostponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16 March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3 April.[11]
27 March, 19:459 Wakefield TrinityA
colspan="13"[12]
colspan="13"[13]
9 August, 15:158 Wakefield TrinityNW23–22Hardaker, French, Marshall, BibbyHardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Smith
1stSky Sports[14]
16 August, 18:309 Leeds RhinosNW28–10Farrell, Manfredi, French (2), BibbyHardaker (4)1stSky Sports[15]
29 August, 16:1510 Catalans DragonsNHalliwell Jones StadiumPostponed 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.[16] [17]
NB: This match was set to be aired on Sky Sports.
29 August, 16:1518 Castleford TigersNHalliwell Jones StadiumW30–22Powell, Burgess, Farrell, Bullock, FlowerHardaker (5)1stSky Sports[18]
3 September, 18:0011 Hull KRNHeadingley StadiumL18–34Powell, Hastings, SmithHardaker (3)3rd >> 4thSky Sports[19]
12 September, 17:0012 Catalans DragonsAStade Gilbert BrutusW28–18Gildart, French, Burgess (2), PowellHardaker (4)5,0003rdSky Sports[20]
25 September, 20:1513 Wakefield TrinityNHalliwell Jones StadiumW28–16Hastings, French (2), Powell, GildartHardaker (4)3rdSky Sports[21]
29 September, 19:4514 St HelensNAJ Bell StadiumL0–424thSky Sports[22]
9 October, 19:4515 Warrington WolvesNHeadingley StadiumW18–14Greenwood, Hardaker, FarrellHardaker (3)2ndSky Sports[23]
14 October16 Toronto WolfpackALamport StadiumFixture cancelled following Toronto Wolfpack withdrawal from the Super League 2020.
15 October, 17:3010 Catalans DragonsNHalliwell Jones StadiumPostponed due to several Wigan Warriors players testing positive for COVID-19. The match was later cancelled as a revised date was unable to be arranged.
NB: This match was set to be aired on Sky Sports.
23 October, 17:3017 Salford Red DevilsNTotally Wicked StadiumW58–12Powell (2), Farrell (2), French (3), Hastings, Gildart (2)Hardaker (9)2ndSky Sports[24]
30 October, 19:4519 St HelensNTotally Wicked StadiumW18–6Bibby, Leuluai, French, HastingsHardaker1stSky Sports[25]
6 November, 19:4520 Huddersfield GiantsNHeadingley StadiumW19–6Powell, Hastings, HardakerHardaker (3)
Drop-goals: Hastings
1stSky Sports[26]
8/9 November21 Leeds RhinosCancelled: 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.[27]
12/13 November22 Hull F.C.

League table

Play-offs

Date and TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
19 November, 19:45Semi-final Hull F.C.HDW StadiumW29–2Burgess, Smith, Hardaker, Bibby, FrenchHardaker (4)
Drop-goals: Smith
Sky Sports[28]
27 November, 20:00Grand Final St HelensNKCOM StadiumL4–8BibbySky Sports[29]

Challenge Cup

See main article: 2020 Challenge Cup.

Date and TimeRoundVersusH/AVenueResultScoreTriesGoalsAttendanceTVReport
4/5 AprilSixth roundWarrington WolvesHDW StadiumPostponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic: On 16 March the Super League and RFL announced the suspension of all games until 3 April.
22 August, 14:30 NCancelled: Due to the withdrawal of tier 2 and tier 3 clubs, and Toronto Wolfpack from the competition, all sixth round will be redrawn.[30] Wigan was one of the six teams to receive a bye to the quarter-finals.[31]
NB: This match was set to be aired on BBC One.[32]
19 September, 17:00Quarter-final Hull F.C.NAJ Bell StadiumW36–4Powell, Farrell (2), French (2), Burgess, GildartHardaker (4)BBC Two[33]
3 October, 14:30Semi-final Leeds RhinosNTotally Wicked StadiumL12–26Smith, HardakerHardaker (2)BBC One[34]

Transfers

In

PlayerFromContractDateRef.
Jake Bibby Salford Red Devils3 YearsJune 2019[35]
George Burgess South Sydney Rabbitohs2 YearsJune 2019 [36]
Mitch Clark Castleford Tigers2 YearsJune 2019 [37]
Jackson Hastings3 YearsJuly 2019 [38]
Kai Pearce-Paul London Broncos4 YearsNovember 2019 [39]
Brad Singleton Toronto Wolfpack3 YearsSeptember 2020

Out

PlayerToContractDateRef.
Samy Kibula1 YearSeptember 2019[40]
Caine Barnes September 2019
October 2019 [41]
2 YearsOctober 2019 [42]
1 YearOctober 2019
November 2019
2 YearsNovember 2019[43]
Sam Grant 1 YearNovember 2019
Mikey Fitz Cronulla Sharks3 YearsNovember 2019
ReleasedJune 2020 [44]

Loans Out

PlayerToContractDate Ref.
Josh Woods Leigh Centurions1 YearDecember 2019
1 YearDecember 2019

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Liam Farrell Testimonial Preview | News | Wigan Warriors. www.wiganwarriors.com.
  2. Web site: 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…". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/wiganwarriorsrl/2224929993288694887 . 25 December 2021 . registration. Instagram.
  3. Web site: 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…". https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/wiganwarriorsrl/2227966061571371778 . 25 December 2021 . registration. Instagram.
  4. Web site: Super League (Sky Sports). SkySports.
  5. Web site: Super League 2020: Wigan Warriors vs Warrington Wolves talking points. Sky Sports.
  6. Web site: Castleford 16-12 Wigan: Tigers punish indisciplined Warriors. Sky Sports.
  7. Web site: Wigan Warriors 32-10 Toronto Wolfpack: Bevan French and Liam Farrell keep Wolfpack at bay. Sky Sports.
  8. Web site: Wigan 26-12 Hull FC: Bevan French and Jackson Hastings inspire Warriors. Sky Sports.
  9. Web site: Huddersfield 10-42 Wigan: Liam Marshall hat-trick sends Warriors to top of the table. Sky Sports.
  10. Web site: Salford 18-14 Wigan: Red Devils come from 12 points down to claim Super League win. Sky Sports.
  11. Web site: Coronavirus: Rugby Football League suspends season until 3 April. 16 March 2020. www.bbc.co.uk.
  12. Web site: Update: Season Suspension. www.superleague.co.uk.
  13. Web site: Super League restart: When are games, venues, TV details and more. James. Smailes. 26 June 2020. HullLive.
  14. Web site: Wakefield 22-23 Wigan: Warriors survive late Trinity fightback. Sky Sports.
  15. Web site: Wigan 28-10 Leeds: Liam Farrell scores 100th try as Warriors move top of Super League. Sky Sports.
  16. Web site: Two Catalans players who featured in Challenge Cup test positive for Covid-19 | Super League | The Guardian. amp.theguardian.com.
  17. Web site: Wigan to play Castleford in R10 after Catalans clash postponed. 25 August 2020.
  18. Web site: Wigan 30-22 Castleford: Warriors edge Tigers in entertaining Super League clash. Sky Sports.
  19. Web site: Hull KR 34-18 Wigan: Greg Minikin hat-trick helps Robins stun Warriors. Sky Sports.
  20. Web site: Catalans Dragons 12-28 Wigan Warriors: Joe Burgess' double helps Cherry and Whites to Super League win. Sky Sports.
  21. Web site: Wigan 28-16 Wakefield: Warriors go second after tough Wakefield win. Sky Sports.
  22. Web site: Wigan 0-42 St Helens: Regan Grace and Jack Welsby doubles help down young Warriors. Sky Sports.
  23. Web site: Warrington 14-18 Wigan: Warriors snatch Super League points late on through Liam Farrell. Sky Sports.
  24. Web site: Wigan 58-12 Salford: Bevan French scores hat-trick as Warriors rout Red Devils. Sky Sports.
  25. Web site: Super League: St Helens 6-18 Wigan Warriors win top-of-the-table clash. Sky Sports.
  26. Web site: Wigan 19-6 Huddersfield: Warriors win League Leaders' Shield. Sky Sports.
  27. Web site: Super League play-offs brought forward. www.bbc.co.uk.
  28. Web site: Super League (Sky Sports). SkySports.
  29. Web site: Super League Grand Final: Jack Welsby clinches 8-4 win for St Helens over Wigan Warriors. Sky Sports.
  30. Web site: Challenge Cup sixth round to be redrawn. www.bbc.co.uk.
  31. Web site: Live Challenge Cup draw updates as FC, KR and more discover fate. William. Jackson. 29 July 2020. HullLive.
  32. Web site: Challenge Cup 2020 schedule and final date announced. James. Smailes. 17 July 2020. HullLive.
  33. Web site: Challenge Cup: Hull FC 4-36 Wigan Warriors. 17 September 2020. www.bbc.com.
  34. Web site: Challenge Cup: Leeds Rhinos 26-12 Wigan Warriors. 1 October 2020. www.bbc.com.
  35. Web site: Jake Bibby joins Wigan | News | Wigan Warriors.
  36. Web site: Wigan lure George Burgess to Super League | News | Wigan Warriors.
  37. Web site: In focus: Mitch Clark | News | Wigan Warriors.
  38. Web site: Hastings to become a Warrior | News | Wigan Warriors.
  39. Web site: Wigan sign Broncos youngster | News | Wigan Warriors.
  40. News: barnes and kibula to leave wigan . Wigan Warriors . 10 September 2019 .
  41. Web site: Farewell Dan Sarginson | News | Wigan Warriors.
  42. Web site: Farewell George Williams | News | Wigan Warriors.
  43. Web site: Davies Leaves Wigan for Catalans | News | Wigan Warriors.
  44. Web site: Morgan Escare: Wigan Warriors full-back leaves Super League club by mutual consent. 15 June 2020. www.bbc.co.uk.