Wigan Warriors are looking to the future, after including multiple academy players in their pre-season training camp in Tenerife.
George Marsden, Jovi Bentley-Elliott and Charlie Jeffrey-Stott will join up with the squad.
The club took a large group out to the Canary Islands, as preparations intensify ahead of the 2026 Betfred Super League Season.
Head Coach Matt Peet
The reasons for choosing this destination for such important preparations has been made clear by Wigan Warriors Head Coach Matt Peet.
Peet said: “Having the sun on your back, and the outstanding facilities over in Tenerife, meant that we could get two or three times more work done than we could on a regular day.”
The Head Coach was quick to praise the impact which the three academy prodigies have had on the Wigan squad during the camp.
He said: “They were excellent. Charlie, Jovi and George. They made a really positive impact.”
Peet reminisced of his own first experiences of senior rugby, acknowledging the scale of the challenge facing youth players when they make the crucial step-up to first-team rugby.
He said: “It was quite a shock. That is part of the challenge as a young player coming through, overcoming that bit of nervousness about being so physical against other men.”
Peet also shared that the insight behind the scenes at these training camps would interest fans.
He said: “The fans, behind the scenes, would be interested to see the analysis that goes on and the detail that the coaches and players go into when they are looking at plays in practise.”
The Warriors Head Coach praised the continuing role of Wigan fans.
He said: “Thank you for all the support.
“We’ve got an exciting year ahead. In the short term, it would be great to see as many of us as we can at Liam’s testimonial on Sunday.”
Jack Farrimond
Half-back Jack Farrimond is also a player who is delighted at the club’s decision to train in such a warm climate this pre-season.
He said: “Great experience. Great to get out in some sun, in the nice weather.
“Obviously, we can get a lot more ball work done out of the rain.”
However, Farrimond remained professional in admitting that young players need to remember why they are at the training camp in the first place.
He said: “It takes a lot to be disciplined over there. Obviously, you’re in the sun, but you have got to think about your training as well.
“If you get time off and the sun is out, you do not want to be sitting in it all day.
“Obviously, it could affect how you perform in training the next day.”
Farrimond was quick to praise the young players who have made the big step-up on this pre-season trip.
He came up through the academy system himself and expressed an understanding of what the transition would feel like for young players who get the exposure to first-team rugby
He said: “It’s a step-up from academy to first team training.
“The way that the academy coaching staff have them drilled, right from the start of pre-season, sets them up perfectly for when they do get that opportunity into the first team setup.
“All three of the lads from the academy that came [to the training camp] did not look out of place once.
“It’s a credit to the coaching staff that they’ve got, and to the lads themselves.”
Farrimond shared his thoughts on his own transition into first-team rugby.
He said: “On my first day, we had wrestling. I was wrestling the likes of Ethan Paddy, so really big bodies.”
He added: “You get used to it over time, and it’s great to have them experiences, especially from being a rugby fan all the way from growing up.
“It’s what you want to do growing up, isn’t it.”
Farrimond insisted that his aspirations for the upcoming season are based around consistency.
He said: “For the team, there’s the big prizes at the end. The Grand Final, League leaders, Challenge Cup etcetera.
“Probably just consistency, consistency within the group.
“Obviously, we had a couple of ups and downs last year, so we’ll try to keep on a consistent wave throughout the season.”
With the 2026 Super League season due to start, Farrimond has urged Warriors fans to get behind the team.
He said: “Definitely get down there, show your support, get behind us all the way.
“Obviously, support does not go unnoticed. We definitely need them [the fans] out there when we are in the tough games.”
Jai Field
Full-back Jai Field spoke of how much closer the experience will ultimately move these young players to a first team appearance.
He said: “it is a next man up mentality, you know. If someone misses out through injury, or what not, then that next guy comes in.”
That chance could come very soon for these youngsters after this experience, as the season is not too far away.
Wigan Warriors start their 2026 Super League season with a trip to Castleford Tigers on Sunday 15th February.
