George Williams insists ankle injury is firmly behind him

Now, though, he insists his injury troubles are behind him as he looks to settle into a consistent rhythm.

Warrington Wolves’ star half-back has found himself in and out of the side during the season’s opening weeks as a result of an ankle injury sustained during the Round One defeat to Catalans Dragons.

He then missed the next two before returning to help the side to a Round Four win at Hull KR, only to aggravate the issue and spend another fortnight on the sidelines.

Williams openly admits he rushed himself back earlier than advised initially but now, he insists he is fully fit and ready to make an impact.

“I’m feeling good,” the England captain told the Guardian.

“It’s been a stop-start few weeks but I’m happy to be back playing and back in the swing of things.

“I probably rushed back quicker than I should have, but it was worth it to get the win at Hull KR. We knew there was a bit of a risk involved.

“I tore ankle ligaments which was a four-to-six week injury, and I played after two. There was always going to be a risk there, but it’s part and parcel of the game.

“I’ll always put my hand up for the team even if I’m only 50 per cent fit – I’ll still go out there and try and make an impact.

“Thankfully now, it all feels back to normal and there’s no more issues.”

Williams scored a try against Hull KR having - by his own admission - rushed himself back from injury (Image: PA Wire)

Williams is not the only member of The Wire’s creative spine to have struggled with injury during 2024, with Josh Drinkwater having not featured since Round Three due to a thigh issue.

However, that has presented a chance for homegrown half-back Leon Hayes and he has grabbed it with both hands, starting each of Warrington’s last six games.

And it is clear the man who turned 20 yesterday has a fan in Williams, with the two potentially forming a half-back pairing for years to come.

“Leon’s been really good and has taken everything in his stride,” he said.

“In playing against Catalans and Hull KR before that, it’s probably the first top-four teams he’s played against and he’s always learning.

“After the game, Leon and I are always reviewing and looking at things we can work on.

“He’s doing his best to learn and get better and this is just the start for him. He’s going to get better and better.

“I love that he’s from Warrington and he cares so much about the club.

“He’s always asking me questions and that’s what you should be doing as a young lad, so he’s on the right path.”

Leon Hayes has started the past six games (Image: Mike Boden)

The two look set to partner up again as Wire head to Leeds Rhinos on Friday night with the aim of bouncing back from Saturday’s defeat to Catalans – their first since the opening-night loss in France.

It was clear where Sam Burgess’ men fell down in Round Six and as they visit a ground Williams ranks among his favourites to play at, work has been done to ensure a repeat is avoided.

“It’s not rocket science to figure out where we went wrong,” he said.

“Going 18-0 down in the first few minutes then conceding 10 just after half time – those two phases of the game killed us.

“We still had a chance to win it at the end, which is credit to us and our commitment, but we can’t be doing that against big teams.

“Starting the game right has been a big focus for us this week. If we do that, we feel like we can match up with anyone.

“Leeds play some mad rugby and a lot of off-the-cuff stuff.

“I love playing at Headingley – it’s probably my favourite away ground, to be honest. It’s always a good atmosphere there and as players, that’s something you have to look forward to.

“We have to try and nullify that pretty quickly.”