THERE is always intense debate among supporters as to what their side’s best team is, at every club in every sport.

Warrington Wolves are no different but the man in charge of actually making that choice – head coach Sam Burgess – is edging closer to his first meaningful selection in charge.

The Round One trip to Catalans Dragons is just under four weeks away and while there are two pre-season friendlies in which players can play their way into – or indeed out of – Burgess’ plans before then, there may well already be a solid idea in his head as to what team takes the field in Perpignan.

A clearer idea of his thinking is likely to be on display when The Wire take on Leigh Leopards in Joe Philbin’s Testimonial in a fortnight, albeit maybe not the full picture.

That side, for example, will not include Paul Vaughan – a surefire starter – as he completes the four-match suspension that ended his 2023 season prematurely.

And, of course, there exists the distinct possibility of injuries cropping up between now and then, either in training or during one of the two friendlies.

However, on the assumption that everybody will be fit and available for selection come Round One, we’re now going to have a go at predicting how the Wire side will look at the Stade Gilbert Brutus…

OUTSIDE BACKS

Four of the five positions appear cut and dried – Matt Dufty will surely start at full-back while Josh Thewlis and Matty Ashton appear shoo-ins on the wings.

However, it is in the centres where things get more complicated.

Having returned from Wigan with England caps and a Grand Final winner’s ring, Toby King will surely take one of the spots while current club captain Stefan Ratchford, new signing Rodrick Tai and homegrown talent Connor Wrench fight it out for the other.

There are also youngsters like Zac Bardsley-Rowe and Arron Lindop to consider, but it would certainly be a big surprise if one of them got the nod this early in the campaign.

At this moment in time, Wrench appears favourite but there is plenty of time for that to change.

HALF-BACKS

Who partners George Williams? A question that has rumbled among supporters for a while now.

It is pretty clear that the popular choice would be Warrington-born academy product Leon Hayes, with fans clamouring for him to be more involved despite having made just three Super League appearances.

By contrast, the more experienced Josh Drinkwater came in for criticism aplenty for his performances during 2023 having arrived as the type of organisational, functional half-back the club believed would compliment and free up England skipper Williams to play his best rugby.

Hayes will no doubt see much more first-team action this year but after Burgess spoke at a pre-Christmas fans’ forum about an attacking system he believed would improve his output, Drinkwater looks to have held onto his starting berth.

FORWARDS

As previously mentioned, Paul Vaughan is a certain starter while having been groomed as the club’s long-term number nine for many a year, Danny Walker now has the chance to make that starting spot his very own.

The other starting front-row spot will surely go to either new signing Zane Musgrove or James Harrison, with the former perhaps a slight favourite at this stage.

In the back row, there is a conundrum for Burgess – Lachlan Fitzgibbon has signed but his preferred left-edge spot has been occupied by Ben Currie for many a year, and then what of young star Matty Nicholson and highly thought-of academy graduate Adam Holroyd?

The handing of the number 13 shirt to Nicholson suggests we may see more of him at loose forward this year, with Jordy Crowther also a more than handy option in that role.

BENCH

Joe Philbin would be favourite to take one of the interchange middle spots alongside Musgrove or Harrison, although Joe Bullock, Gil Dudson and new signing Max Wood may have plenty to say about that.

Crowther provides a utility option, while Sam Powell looks set to take the interchange hooker spot ahead of Brad Dwyer.

And what role for Stefan Ratchford? If he has too much traffic to get through at centre, could he take a bench role?

Predicted Warrington Wolves team for Round One 2024

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