Warrington Wolves head coach happy with 2022 recruitment

Six new signings have been made while England international half-back George Williams was signed towards the end of last season to spearhead the new head coach's team.

Three of the new additions came as boosts to the middle unit – props Joe Bullock and James Harrison arrived from Wigan and Featherstone respectively while loose forward Billy Magoulias was brought in from Cronulla Sharks.

With long-serving front-row stalwart Chris Hill moving on and with Harrison's ACL injury ruling him out until the spring, however, there were plenty of supporters calling for more reinforcements up front.

However, Powell believes he has plentiful stocks in that department and believes he can bring a little bit more out of the players at his disposal.

"I understand why people might think that, but I think we’ll be fine. There’s always that debate and it’s healthy," he said.

"The one thing I’m always keen on is whether there’s a certain percentage of improvement in the existing members of the squad.

"That’s the thing I like to go after – how much better can a player be? There’s quite a few players here with a fair bit of improvement in them.

"Rob Mulhern could really grow and Joe Bullock is a player who could be anything. We just need to grow his confidence.

"Fans will always say to me that we need a big bruiser and that’s potentially how I see Joe Bullock.

"He’s got great leg speed, he’s a big fella and that’s a role he’s got to fill. He’s got to prove himself and show what he can do for this team."

Magoulias arrives in England with a reputation for being a ball-playing 13 – the kind of player Warrington have not had since Joe Westerman left the club in 2017.

It perhaps can be seen as a nod to the more expansive style of play Powell wants to implement at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, but the head coach insists he will have to fight for his spot.

Given his intention to use Jack Hughes as a middle option and with the likes of Jason Clark and Matt Davis also taking aim at the loose forward position, he has plenty of options.

"Billy’s come over with the reputation of being a ball-player and he’s a clever player," Powell said.

Billy Magoulias in training. Picture by Warrington Wolves

"Jack Hughes will play more as a middle player – he might play back row a few times but he will play predominantly down the middle.

"I’ll be looking to him, Billy, Matt Davis, Jason Clark – there’s quite a few and then it’s about who’s going to start in that role.

"I want the players to work it out for me by showing me how hard they’re going to work in that role."

As he reflects on the recruitment process for his first year as head coach, Powell admits it was "awkward" signing players for The Wire while still working at Castleford Tigers.

Australia wrestling with different levels of Covid restrictions muddied the waters but in the end, he has got a squad he feels he can be happy with.

"It was strange – I had to do a fair bit of travelling!" he said.

"I felt I was very respectful to Castleford and I didn’t shirk anything there, but I clearly had to get this right.

"It was awkward but I think we’ve pretty much got to where we wanted to get to.

"The market at times is hard work with what’s happening in Australia with Covid and the availability of players, but I think we’ve got some class players.

"Getting George (Williams) over the line last year I think was a really important signing. I think we’ve done a good job and have an outstanding squad."