HOT on the heels of Stefan Ratchford’s new deal, prop forward Joe Philbin has also secured new terms with Warrington Wolves.

The 22-year-old Warringtonian will be pulling on primrose and blue for at least another two years after signing until the end of 2019.

“It’s rewards for his year so far,” said Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith.

“He had to step up because he had an indifferent season last year.

“Also his pre-season last year was a bit indifferent in some respects and I think he got a bit of a kick up the backside when he probably wasn’t where he would have liked to have been in terms of selection and he took that on the chin really well and he responded.

“The best way to respond is by the way you train and the way you perform.

“He really has improved. He’s working a lot harder in training and is a lot hungrier for his position and I think it shows in the way he’s playing.

“He’s doing a good job for us, providing good impact off the bench.

“We and he would like more minutes per game and that’s his challenge, to extend that. While he’s doing a good job he stays on the field, if he starts to slow down that’s time for him to come off. He’s been able to do that pretty well this year.

“He’s a pleasure to work with. He listens, takes things on board and then tries to improve and that’s all you can ask of a young man.”

Philbin added: “I’ve come all the way through from the juniors, on the progression ladder at Warrington, and am really enjoying my time here.

"When they came to me to re-sign it was a pretty simple decision to make.

“I struggled to get game time last year but got a little bit of a run at the back end of the season just missing out on the Grand Final but that’s made me more hungry for this year.

"I’m happy to be getting more game time now and playing with a smile on my face, playing my game.

"Tony’s been the head coach since I was at under 18s. He’s been patient with me and I thank him for that as I feel I’m now showing what I can do.

“The lads are great here and a lot of the young players are now being promoted and playing week in week and out; you look at Ben Currie as the prime example.

"If you look at the quality of the squad we have - and we still don’t feel we’re playing well - once we click I think something special could happen this year and it’s not far away, hopefully it will start this week at Leeds.”