THERE is a mixture of youth and experience named by head coach Sam Burgess for his first game in charge of Warrington Wolves.

The Wire have confirmed their starting 13 for next Friday's pre-season clash with Widnes Vikings and while the team is largely youthful, there are sprinklings of first-team talent that will be involved.

Most notable among the established players is current club captain Stefan Ratchford, who will start in the halves alongside homegrown youngster Leon Hayes.

New signings Rodrick Tai and Brad Dwyer will start at centre and hooker respectively while Josh Thewlis has been named at full-back, with his younger brother Jake on the wing.

Former Wigan youngster Max Wood, whose signing has been confirmed following an impressive trial during pre-season, will start at loose forward while prop Luke Thomas and centre Arron Lindop, new deals for whom have also just been announced, are both named to start.

Front-line first-team players are all set to feature in Joe Philbin's Testimonial match against Leigh Leopards on Saturday, February 3, with the exception of Paul Vaughan, who will serve the last game of the four-match ban that ended his 2023 season early.

Warrington Wolves starting team to face Widnes Vikings

Josh Thewlis; Matty Russell, Rodrick Tai, Arron Lindop, Jake Thewlis; Stefan Ratchford, Leon Hayes; Gil Dudson, Brad Dwyer, Luke Thomas, Adam Holroyd, Nolan Tupaea, Max Wood