2023 Wigan Warriors season explained

Wigan Warriors 2023 season
Year:	2023
Team Colour:	DC143C
Font Colour:	White
League:	Super League
League Champions:	Super League XXIII
League Rank:	1st
League Wins:	22
League Losses:	7
Points For:	762
Points Against:	360
Playoff Result:	Champions
Cup:	Challenge Cup
Cup Result:	Semi finals
Cup Wins:	2
Cup Losses:	1
Ceo Title:	CEO
Coach Title:	Head Coach
Avg Attendance:	13,586
High Attendance:	24,275
Low Attendance:	11,451
Top Tries:	Abbas Miski (28)
Top Goals:	Harry Smith (85)
Top Points:	Harry Smith (184)
List:	yes
List Link:	List of Wigan Warriors seasons
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The 2023 season was the Wigan Warriors's 43rd consecutive season playing in England's top division of rugby league. During the season, they competed in the Super League XXVIII and the 2023 Challenge Cup.

Infobox statistics are correct for all regular season league matches

Preseason friendlies

Date and Time	Versus	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance	Report
22 January, 15:00	Whitehaven	A	Recreation Ground	W	22–14	Douglas, Astley (2), Sutton	Eckersley (3/4)		^[1]
29 January, 15:00	Barrow Raiders	A	Craven Park	L	14–26	Miski (2), Forber	Eckersley (1/3)
5 February, 15:00	Salford Red Devils (Sam Powell Testimonial)	H	DW Stadium	W	32–4	French (2), Miski (2), Pearce-Paul, Field	Smith (4/6)

Super League

See main article: Super League XXVIII.

Regular season

Fixtures

• All fixtures subject to change

Date and time	Versus	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance	TV	Position	Report
18 February, 13:00	Hull KR	A	Craven Park	L	18–27	Marshall, Field, Pearce-Paul, Wardle	Smith (1/4)	10,029	Channel 4	9th	^[2]
24 February, 20:00	Wakefield Trinity	H	DW Stadium	W	60–0	French (2), Marshall (4), Farrell, Field, Powell, Smith, Cust	Smith (8/11)	12,306	Not televised	5th	^[3]
3 March, 20:00	Castleford Tigers	A	Wheldon Road	W	36–0	Marshall (3), Havard, King, Field	Smith (4/6) + 2 pen.)	7,565	Not televised	3rd	^[4]
9 March, 20:00	Catalans Dragons	H	DW Stadium	L	10–18	Smith	Smith (1/1 + 2 pen.)	11,451	Sky Sports	3rd	^[5]
17 March, 19:45	Huddersfield Giants	A	Kirklees Stadium	W	14–12	French (2), Wardle	Smith (1/3)	5,777	Not televised	3rd	^[6]
24 March, 20:00	Salford Red Devils	H	DW Stadium	W	20–16	French (2), King	Smith (3/3 + 1 pen.)	11,492	Sky Sports	3rd	^[7]
30 March, 20:00	Leigh Leopards	A	Leigh Sports Village	W	34–6	French, Field (2), Wardle, Miski (2), King	Smith (3/7)	9,189	Sky Sports	3rd	^[8]
7 April, 15:00	St Helens	H	DW Stadium	W	14–6	Smith, King	Smith (2/2 + 1 pen.)	24,275	Sky Sports	2nd	^[9]
14 April, 20:00	Warrington Wolves	A	Halliwell Jones Stadium	W	13–6	Wardle, O'Neill	Smith (1/2 + 1 pen.) Drop-goals: Smith	15,026	Sky Sports	2nd	^[10]
23 April, 15:00	Wakefield Trinity	H	DW Stadium	W	22–6	Marshall, Miski, Havard, French	Smith (3/4)	12,240	Not televised	1st	^[11]
4 May, 20:00	Hull F.C.	A	MKM Stadium	L	10–14	Thornley (2)	Smith (1/2)	10,251	Sky Sports	2nd	^[12]
12 May, 20:00	Leeds Rhinos	H	DW Stadium	L	18–40	Miski, French, Thornley	Smith (2/3 + 1 pen.)	12,167	Sky Sports	2nd	^[13]
25 May, 20:00	Hull KR	A	Craven Park	W	26–22	Farrell (3), Marshall (2), Miski	Smith (1/6)	Not recorded	Sky Sports	2nd	^[14]
3 June, 15:45	Catalans Dragons	N	St James' Park	L	22–46	Wardle, French, Miski, Marshall, Smithies	Smith (0/5 + 1 pen.)	36,943	Sky Sports	3rd	^[15]
9 June, 20:00	St Helens	A	Totally Wicked Stadium	L	16–34	Field, French, Miski	Smith (2/3)	16,272	Sky Sports	6th	^[16]
25 June, 15:00	Salford Red Devils	A	AJ Bell Stadium	W	26–6	Shorrocks, Farrell (2), Miski, Marshall	Smith (3/5)	7,854	Not televised	3rd	^[17]
30 June, 20:00	Huddersfield Giants	H	DW Stadium	W	22–6	Miski (2), Field, Marshall	Smith (3/4)	13,464	Not televised	3rd	^[18]
7 July, 19:45	Wakefield Trinity	A	Belle Vue	L	26–27	Field (2), French, Marshall, King	Smith (3/5)	4,185	Not televised	4th	^[19]
14 July, 20:00	Warrington Wolves	H	DW Stadium	W	26–12	Marshall, French, Wardle, Farrell	Smith (4/4 + 1 pen.)	13,105	Sky Sports	3rd	^[20]
29 July, 13:00	Leigh Leopards	H	DW Stadium	W	44–18	French (2), King, Dupree, Miski (3), Marshall	Smith (6/8)	15,377	Channel 4	2nd	^[21] ^[22]
4 August, 20:00	Hull KR	H	DW Stadium	W	64–6	Miski (4), Wardle, King, Smith, Mago, Field (3), Marshall	Smith (8/12)	11,464	Not televised	2nd	^[23] ^[24]
18 August, 20:00	Hull FC	H	DW Stadium	W	13–12	Marshall, King, Wardle	Smith (0/3) Drop-goals: Smith	12,107	Not televised	2nd	^[25] ^[26]
26 August, 18:00	Catalans Dragons	A	Stade Gilbert Brutus	W	34–0	Miski (3), King, French, Wardle	Smith (4/5)	10,614	Sky Sports	2nd	^[27] ^[28]
1 September, 20:00	Salford Red Devils	H	DW Stadium	W	26–8	Farrell, Miski, Wardle, Field, King	Smith (3/5)	12,905	Sky Sports	1st	^[29]
9 September, 14:45	Leeds Rhinos	A	Headingley	W	50–0	Wardle (3), Field, Marshall, Pearce-Paul, Miski, Farrell, Mago	Smith (7/9)	12,861	Sky Sports	1st	^[30]
15 September, 20:00	Castleford Tigers	H	DW Stadium	W	48–6	Miski (5), Wardle, Powell, Pearce-Paul, Field, French	Smith (1/5), Hampshire (3/5)	13,109	Not televised	1st	^[31]
22 September, 20:00	Leigh Leopards	A	Leigh Sports Village	W	10–6	Field, Wardle	Smith (1/2)	10,308	Sky Sports	1st	^[32]

Table

Play-offs

Date and time	Round	Versus	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance	TV	Report
7 October, 12:45	Semi-final	Hull KR	H	DW Stadium	W	42–12	Marshall (3), Field (2), King, Miski	Smith (7/7)	15,162	Sky Sports and Channel 4	^[33]
14 October, 18:00	Grand Final	Catalans Dragons	N	Old Trafford	W	10–2	Marshall	Smith (1/1 + 2 pen.)	58,137	Sky Sports	^[34]

Challenge Cup

See main article: 2023 Challenge Cup.

Date and time	Round	Versus	H/A	Venue	Result	Score	Tries	Goals	Attendance	TV	Report
20 May, 14:30	Round 6	Leeds Rhinos	A	Headingley	W	18–14	French (2), Nsemba, Wardle	Smith (1/4)	7,103	BBC One^[35]	^[36]
18 June, 14:30	Quarter Finals	Warrington Wolves	H	DW Stadium	W	14–12	King, Miski	Smith (2/2 + 1 pen.)	9,302	BBC One^[37]	^[38]
23 July, 17:00	Semi Finals	Hull KR	N	Headingley	L	10–11 (GP)	Field	Smith (1/1 + 1 pen.)	10,926	BBC Two^[39]	^[40]

Transfers

Gains

Player	Club	Contract	Date
	Warrington Wolves	1 Year Loan	August 2022^[41]
	Huddersfield Giants	3 Years	October 2022^[42]
	Castleford Tigers	1 Year + 2 Years	January 2023^[43]
Tyler Dupree	Salford Red Devils

Losses

Player	Club	Contract	Date
	Retired		August 2022^[44]
		2 years	September 2022^[45]
		3 years	September 2022^[46]
Jack Bibby			Rowspan=2	October 2022^[47]
Sam Halsall
			December 2022^[48]
		1 Year trial	January 2023 ^[49]
			July 2023

Notes and References

1. Web site: Youthful Warriors win at Whitehaven - Wigan Warriors. Charlotte. Fletcher. January 22, 2023.
2. Web site: Super League: Shaun Kenny-Dowall treble leads Hull Kingston Rovers to 27-18 win over Warriors. Sky Sports.
3. Web site: Wigan crush Wakefield 60-0 for first win of season. www.bbc.com.
4. Web site: Wigan Warriors sweep aside scoreless Castleford. www.bbc.com.
5. Web site: Super League: Catalans Dragons go top as Manu Ma'u double seals 18-10 victory over Wigan Warriors. Sky Sports.
6. Web site: Super League: Huddersfield Giants 12-14 Wigan Warriors; Warrington Wolves 38-20 Leigh Leopards. Sky Sports.
7. Web site: Super League: Bevan French and Toby King help Wigan Warriors see off Salford Red Devils 20-16 in thriller. Sky Sports.
8. Web site: Super League: Wigan Warriors emerge 34-6 winners over Leigh Leopards in 'Battle of the Borough'. Sky Sports.
9. Web site: Wigan Warriors 14-6 St Helens: Hosts seal Good Friday derby glory over Saints to go second in Super League. Sky Sports.
10. Web site: Warrington Wolves 6-13 Wigan Warriors: Harry Smith stars as visitors hand hosts first loss in Super League in 2023. Sky Sports.
11. Web site: Wigan beat Wakefield to go top of Super League. www.bbc.com.
12. Web site: Hull FC 14-10 Wigan Warriors: Hosts battle past Super League leaders to make it back-to-back wins. Sky Sports.
13. Web site: Wigan Warriors 18-40 Leeds Rhinos: Harry Newman inspires 12-player visitors to stunning win. Sky Sports.
14. Web site: Hull KR 22-26 Wigan Warriors: Liam Farrell snatches golden-point glory for visitors in Super League thriller. Sky Sports.
15. Web site: Wigan Warriors 22-46 Catalans Dragons: Tom Johnstone's hat-trick helps French side cruise to Magic Weekend win. Sky Sports.
16. Web site: St Helens 34-16 Wigan Warriors: Jack Welsby stars to help Super League champions seal derby delight. Sky Sports.
17. Web site: Salford Red Devils 6-26 Wigan Warriors: Liam Farrell scores double as Wigan climb to third with victory. Sky Sports.
18. Web site: Miski double sets up third consecutive Wigan win. www.bbc.com.
19. Web site: Wakefield seal massive golden point win v Wigan. www.bbc.com.
20. Web site: Wigan Warriors 26-12 Warrington Wolves: Jake Wardle stars to help down his old club and move Warriors up to third. Sky Sports.
21. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-leigh/58370
22. Web site: Wigan thrash cup finalists Leigh in derby victory. www.bbc.com.
23. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-hull-k-r/58373
24. Web site: Miski sparks Wigan's 12-try demolition of Hull KR. www.bbc.com.
25. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-hull/58381
26. Web site: Wigan shatter Hull with dramatic golden-point win. www.bbc.com.
27. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/catalans-vs-wigan/58389
28. Web site: Warriors demolish the dragons. Wigan Warriors.
29. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-salford/58392
30. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/leeds-vs-wigan/58399
31. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-castleford/58404
32. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/leigh-vs-wigan/58410
33. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-hull-k-r/report/58418
34. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/wigan-vs-catalans/58419
35. Web site: Two Betfred Challenge Cup Ties to be shown live on the BBC. www.rugby-league.com.
36. Web site: Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors - Rugby League. BBC Sport.
37. Web site: BBC confirm Challenge Cup quarter-finals coverage with details announced. May 23, 2023. LoveRugbyLeague.
38. Web site: Wigan hold on with 12 men to knock out Warrington - BBC Sport . 2023-06-18 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230726122051/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/65902189.amp . 2023-07-26 . live .
39. Web site: Challenge Cup semi-finals: Double-headers, venues & TV details confirmed. June 19, 2023. LoveRugbyLeague.
40. Web site: Relive Hull KR's golden-point Challenge Cup win over Wigan. July 22, 2023. www.bbc.co.uk.
41. Web site: Wigan sign Toby King on loan for 2023 season. 23 August 2022. BBC Sport.
42. Web site: Jake Wardle joins Wigan on 3 year deal. 9 October 2022. wiganwarriors.com.
43. Web site: Wigan re-sign half-back Hampshire - BBC Sport . 2023-01-27 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230313224418/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/64423974.amp . 2023-03-13 . live .
44. Web site: Wigan Warriors legend to retire at end of season & join coaching staff . 31 August 2022.
45. Web site: Salford sign Oliver Partington on two-year deal . 23 September 2022.
46. Web site: Huddersfield sign Wigan's Bibby on three-year deal . 28 September 2022 . 29 September 2022.
47. Web site: Jack Bibby and Sam Halsall join Huddersfield on three-year deals . 9 October 2022.
48. Web site: Bateman leaves Wigan to join Wests Tigers - BBC Sport . 2022-12-26 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20221227051546/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/64094133.amp . 2022-12-27 . live .
49. Web site: Leigh Leopards new signing after handing Wigan Warriors man squad number for Super League 2023. Callum. Walker. January 13, 2023.