JACK Hughes admits The Wire’s right edge will “have their hands full” against Wigan Warriors’ revered left side at Magic Weekend today.

The Warriors are known to favour their left edge in attack and even with second rower Joe Greenwood an injury doubt, the likes of George Williams, Oliver Gildart and Joe Burgess still lurk there.

Hughes knows he and his right-edge colleagues will have to be on their game in defence if they are to shut down Wigan’s strike power.

He also insists Wolves will prepare for the Warriors outfit that put in what many feel was their best display of 2019 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium two weeks ago despite a 26-24 Challenge Cup defeat.

“I thought Wigan were turning their season around in the few weeks before they played us in the cup,” he said.

“A lot of people thought Wigan were the better team on the day and that’s their opinion, but we have to be prepared for that Wigan side.

“Any right edge that comes up against Wigan will have their hands full.

“I know their left-edge unit are a good group of mates off the field. They’re a tight bunch and they know each other’s games inside out.

“George Williams has got a handy kicking game and Joe Burgess is very quick off the mark – they are very dangerous.

“It’s going to be a full-on 80 minutes against them and as a right edge, we’re going to have to be on top of our game.”

Warrington Guardian:

Jack Hughes in action against former club Wigan in the Challenge Cup two weeks ago. Picture by Mike Boden

Not only will The Wire be keen to bounce back from Saturday’s disappointing defeat to Hull FC, but they have a newly-reinstated trophy to play for and a wretched recent Magic Weekend record to dispel.

They have not won a Magic Weekend match since 2014 but ending that run at Anfield will win them the Locker Cup, which Wolves and Wigan will be facing off for for the first time since 1995.

Second rower Hughes says he and his teammates have had to “look in the mirror at themselves” following the Hull game, which he described as “hurtful” to watch back.

However, he feels there is no better stage upon which to put things right.

“Magic Weekend generates that big-game feel anyway but throwing a trophy in there makes it even bigger,” he said.

“They haven’t played for the Locker Cup for a while so it’s special to have the chance to write some more history.

“We’ve had to be ruthless and we’ve all had a look in the mirror at ourselves.

“We were down in a lot of areas – including ones we really pride ourselves on. Watching all of that back really hurt.

“That’s behind us now and we’ve got to focus on putting those things right -that’s what good rugby league teams do.

“There’s two points and stake and a newly reinstated cup to play for.

“It’s great to play at such iconic stadiums that I otherwise might not get the chance to play at.

“I’m not an avid football fan but it is special and I’ll always look back on it.”