THE pre-season friendly against Wigan Warriors will show what kind of a pre-season Warrington Wolves have had.

That is the view of head coach Daryl Powell, who is continuing preparations for his first season in charge of The Wire.

He is set to field his strongest available team for the game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, which is being played as a Testimonial match for Stefan Ratchford.

Fringe players are then set to feature in the following week’s friendly against Salford Red Devils before the opening Super League fixture at Leeds Rhinos on February 12.

Powell praised his squad’s aptitude for taking on board the things he and assistant coaches Ryan Sheridan and Danny Evans are trying to implement.

However, he now says he will put what they have learned “under pressure” with their first on-field test under his tutelage now less than a fortnight away.

“I think the ability to pick things up among a playing group is important, especially if a new coach comes in looking to change everything,” he said.

“That takes maturity and a willingness to learn, and I’ve been really impressed with how the players have just got after it.

“We’ve not had to go over things too much – the guys have picked things up pretty quick.

“We’re going to put what we’ve learnt under pressure now leading into that Wigan game, which is a really important one for us.

“In games like that, you find out how good your pre-season has really been.

“Obviously, it isn’t the be all and end all as there’s a long season ahead after it, but I’d like to think the players will have a real good understanding of what we want to achieve going into that game.

“These next few weeks are going to be really important in that respect.”

The Wire were due to embark on a three-day training camp to South Wales next week but have cancelled the trip in order to minimise the risk of Covid spreading through the squad in the build-up to their friendly matches.