Warrington Wolves 2026 season preview
2025 recap
After a play-off semi-final in 2024 and a Wembley appearance in the Challenge Cup Final, Warrington were abysmal in 2025.
Granted, they reached Wembley again, but their league form fell off a cliff, and they finished an enormous 10 points outside the top six.
2025 position: 8th
Key signings
Toafofoa Sipley (Manly Sea Eagles), Liam Byrne (Wigan), Albert Hopoate (Canberra Raiders), James Bentley (Leeds), Josh Smith (Brisbane Tigers), Sam Stone (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Hull KR)
Key departures
Paul Vaughan (York), Stefan Ratchford (Retirement), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (South Newcastle Lions), Dan Russell (Bradford), Tom Whitehead (Hull KR), Nolan Tupaea (TBC), Lucas Green (Keighley Cougars), Zac Bardsley-Rowe (TBC), Alfie Johnson (Halifax Panthers), Rodrick Tai (Central Queensland Capras), Dan Okoro (Halifax Panthers), Matt Dufty (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Players to watch
Warrington’s overseas imports have had mixed success in recent years, and the latest prop to try his luck at the Wire is Toafofoa Sipley. The 18-stone powerhouse played just shy of 100 games in the NRL, and at 31-years-old, will his experience prove invaluable, or is he just coming for one final payday?
At the other end of the scale, Albert Hopoate should have his best years ahead of him. The 24-year-old has arrived from Canberra Raiders, where his career petered out in the past couple of years after an impressive 2023 campaign. Still, he’s been given the number 4 jersey at Warrington, so that suggests he’ll be a regular starter.
Young gun
In a huge show of faith from coach Sam Burgess, 19-year-old Cai Taylor-Wray has been given the number one jersey ahead of 2026. In doing so, he’s also seen off former Man of Steel nominee Matt Dufty, who’s headed back to Australia. Taylor-Wray has only played 11 times for the Wire in first grade, so this year will be a huge one for the teenager.
Our prediction – 7th
In much the same way as Catalans, I’m expecting Warrington to improve this year, but I can still think of six teams better than them. If they can find the form they showed in 2024, then I’ll be left with egg on my face, but going on last year’s performances, there’s a massive improvement needed if they’re to challenge.
