DARYL Powell launched a stern defence of Warrington Wolves’ academy following criticism from Wigan Warriors head coach Matty Peet.

Following The Wire’s signing of Wigan youngster Matty Nicholson on a three-and-a-half year deal yesterday, Peet attacked the club’s recruitment policy.

Indeed, he said working at the Warrington academy must be “demoralising” after another Wigan-produced youngster was snapped up.

Click here to read Peet’s extraordinary comments in full

In response to what he called “a bit of a rant,” Powell said he “did not see the problem” with Nicholson’s signing given he was in the final year of his contract.

Warrington Guardian:

Matty Nicholson's decision to join Warrington Wolves angered Matty Peet, his now former head coach at Wigan Warriors

“If you look at Matty Peet’s comments, you can probably see why we were so keen to get hold of him. He’s not happy about the situation,” the Wire boss said.

“He’s in the last year of his contract and it’s a competitive market. I don’t see what the problem is – he’s available and we see him as a high-quality player who’s going to be outstanding for us in the coming years.

“I think he’s an outstanding signing for us.”

In direct response to Peet, he said: “Our academy and the people in it at the moment are absolutely superb.

“Our scholars beat St Helens last night, our academy beat St Helens the other week – the people running our academy are far from demoralised.

Warrington Guardian:

> Click here for the story of Wire's scholarship win at St Helens last night

“They’re embedded in Warrington, they love the club and they’re working so hard. You can see that in all of our academy teams at the moment because they’re superb.

“Moving forward, I think the players that come through our academy are going to be exactly the right kind of people and professionals.

“They’re going to be driven and focused, just as the coaches and staff are.

“I don’t think it’s a great comment from him and I’ll leave it at that. We’ll just keep focusing on what we’re doing.

“I think it’s a special club going to big places. It’s just a matter of time, both at youth development and first team level.”