Breaking news :Injury Corner: Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, St Helens suffer blows…
As the Super League season pushes into its grueling middle phase, three of the competition’s most storied clubs — Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves, and St Helens — find themselves in the throes of an injury crisis that could reshape the playoff landscape.
Wigan Warriors, sitting near the top of the table, have been dealt a bitter blow with the news that star forward Ethan Marsh is set to miss up to ten weeks with a fractured shoulder blade. The 25-year-old, known for his barnstorming runs and tireless defensive work, suffered the injury in a brutal tackle during last weekend’s hard-fought win over Catalans Dragons.
Head coach Matt Peet remained stoic: “Ethan’s a tough lad and he’ll be back stronger, but there’s no denying it’s a blow. He’s a leader on and off the pitch. We’ve got young blood coming through though, and this is their time to step up.”
Adding to Wigan’s woes, winger Jayden Kavanagh has also been sidelined with a hamstring tear, leaving the squad thin in both attack and defense ahead of their derby clash with St Helens.
The Warrington Wolves, meanwhile, are navigating their own patch of misfortune. Captain and halfback Callum Renshaw limped off during their shock loss to Castleford Tigers, clutching his knee after an awkward collision. Initial scans suggest ligament damage, with a tentative return expected no sooner than late August.
The Wolves’ backroom staff are scrambling for solutions, with youngster Rhys Milner expected to be thrust into a starting role far earlier than planned. “We’ve always backed our youth,” said head coach Sam Burgess, “but this isn’t the ideal way to test them.”
As for St Helens, their troubles lie in the engine room. Veteran prop James Lomax sustained a suspected rib cartilage injury, sidelining him for four to six weeks. His absence leaves a glaring hole in the Saints’ middle, especially with backup forward Tui Moala also out with a lingering groin strain.
“It’s one of those runs,” admitted St Helens’ coach Paul Wellens. “We’re not the first club to face a spate of injuries, and we won’t be the last. But we’ve got resilience — it’s in our DNA.”
The Saints are likely to lean on 20-year-old academy product Ben Higham, who made a solid cameo in their win against Leeds earlier this month. With three key fixtures ahead, including a pivotal clash against Huddersfield Giants, the pressure is on the next generation to uphold the Red V legacy.
The injury setbacks have opened the door for mid-table sides to press their advantage, with Huddersfield and Salford already eying weakened opposition with optimism.
As the season rolls on, depth, development, and grit will define the contenders from the pretenders. And with the play-offs looming, recovery rooms across the North West could prove just as decisive as anything that happens on the pitch.
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