TWO members of the spine that helped Warrington Wolves win last year’s Academy Grand Final have been first-team regulars in 2026.
And while Ewan Irwin’s displays have seen him deservedly grab headlines, Lachlan Webster has also more than proved his worth at senior level.
The Wire’s full-back position has been in flux this year – Cai Taylor-Wray has had frustrating struggles with injury and while Josh Thewlis has generally deputised, he too has had spells out.
As such, Webster’s emergence has been a real bonus for Sam Burgess – following a try-scoring debut against Goole Vikings in the Challenge Cup back in March, the teenager has added another 10 appearances since with seven of them seeing him start at full-back.
He has defied early predictions to break through at his hometown club, and Burgess has been keen to lavish praise upon the former Crosfields junior.
“He’s awesome – he’s so brave and I’ve got a lot of time for Lachie,” he said.
“Last year, he was only part-time, but I just liked what he stood for, so he came in full-time with us.
“There’s an amazing story with him – a while ago, he was told he wasn’t big enough but his perseverance is great.
“The biggest accolade for him is that the boys trust him. He’s a great asset and I really like him.”
Webster scored nine tries in 14 appearances for the Grand Final-winning Academy side in 2025 as well as five in nine games for the Reserves, while he also played in all three games of the Academy tour of Australia, scoring two tries.
He had appeared in several 21-man squads for the senior team towards the end of last year after being brought into the fold by Burgess, who revealed an enlightening pre-season conversation reinforced his belief in him.
“He trained with us at the back end of last year – he could have gone back to the academy but I told him he was staying with us because I thought he was good enough,” he said.
“We said he’d do pre-season with us until January at least, but I knew in the first week he’d be staying with us for longer and be a full-time player.
“I had a conversation with him about giving him a squad number but he said no – he said he wanted to earn it and that he’d get one when he made his debut.
“He fits right into my team and he knows what we think of him. He’s a good kid from a good family, and he’s going to have a great career.”
Webster is not the only member of his family to represent the town on the sporting stage, with his father Lee having played 175 times for Warrington Town FC between 2001 and 2005.
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