A HOMETOWN boy who learned his trade on the town’s community pitches, progressed through the club’s academy and into the senior side to play alongside stars he used to watch from the stands.

In terms of the type of player Warrington Wolves fans want to see in their first team, Connor Wrench ticks pretty much every box.

In terms of bringing young players through the ranks into the first team, there has been improvement at The Halliwell Jones Stadium and Wrench – alongside Josh Thewlis and Ellis Longstaff – is the jewel in that particular crown.

And with a long-term deal now freshly signed, he has every chance to go on and fulfil his incredible potential.

> Click here to read more about Connor Wrench's new deal

Warrington Guardian:

Connor Wrench scores the winning try at Leeds Rhinos in Round One. Picture by PA Wire

Daryl Powell has backed him to do just that, sidelining the vastly experienced Josh Charnley to give him a confidence-boosting run in the first team.

It is now up to him to justify the belief he and many others within the club have in him – and it is fair to say that so far, he is doing just that.

Naturally at the age of 20, he has improving to do but if you were to ask any Wire supporter for their player of the year so far, Wrench would feature at the top of most lists.

Physical and technical attributes will only develop but he already possesses a trait that puts the frighteners on any defender – raw, unadulterated speed.

Ever since he progressed into the first team, senior players have often opined that Wrench wins every sprint hands down and we have seen the pace he has in practice on several occasions now.

Supporters of an older vintage may well draw comparisons to Mark Forster, another Warrington-born speedster who starred for the club.

Their career paths are remarkably similar – starting out at Woolston Rovers before progressing into the first team to wow their fellow Warringtonians with their fleet-footedness.

Warrington Guardian:

Like Wrench, Warrington legend Mark Forster came through at Woolston Rovers

There is of course a long way to go but if Wrench has even half the career Forster had, he can be pretty happy with his lot.

‘Foz’ went on to earn a couple of Great Britain caps, so will there be international rugby in Wrench’s future?

Only time will tell but if he continues to develop at this rate, there is certainly no reason why an England call-up cannot be in his future.

He is highly thought of within the England set-up and has already turned out for England Knights, so he is certainly on the right path.

To quote Daryl Powell, “he can be anything he wants” and I am sure Warrington Wolves fans everywhere are excited to see where he goes from here.