Warrington Wolves eased through their pre-season opener with the win seeing one half-back prove their worth and justify a recent five-year deal.

Wire became the first Super League side to play in 2026 as they eased past Widnes Vikings with a 50-12 win in a game marred by fan violence, with a teenage boy ending up in hospital as a result.

That understandably took the shine off a strong start to 2026 from Warrington Wolves as plenty of new signings and young stars impressed in the huge win.

One of those who get on the score sheet and impressed as he conducted play was half-back Ewan Irwin, who earned his debut last season under Sam Burgess and has since signed a five-year deal at the club.

Whilst playing in a handful of Super League games, Irwin spent much of 2025 leading the club’s academy to a flawless season domestically which then led to a tour of Australia, where he caught the eyes of NRL clubs per reports.

The Wolves managed to tie him to a long-term deal with Friday night’s performance the first of many that Warrington fans can expect to see from him, and something that assistant coach Steve McNamara was also impressed with.

Warrington Wolves assistant hails praise on young star Ewan Irwin

“He’s a student of the game and he’s keen to learn,” McNamara responded when asked post-match about the teenager’s talents.

“He’s got his five-year deal and it’s well deserved, he’s done great getting that but he’s not stopped in terms of progressing and trying to move forward.”

One thing that McNamara did note was the fact Irwin, who does not turn 18 until next month, still has lots of room to grow physically with the 17-year-old understandably not fully developed. That’s something he counters with his maturity and attitude though, McNamara contested.

The ex-Catalans boss said: “He’s got a lot of physical development left in him and rugby league knowledge left for him to pick up but he’s a very mature young man and a very talented young man.

“He trains really hard and he’s got his feet on the ground, you can see that quite clearly.

“It gives him a really good start to his professional career.”

Wire fans will next get a chance to see Irwin in action when the club take on Leigh Leopards at the end of the month in a game where more starting players will be expected to feature, though Irwin could well earn minutes.

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