Betfred Super League 2026: Hungry Wolves ready to come out fighting after painful ’25

Warrington Wolves were one of the Betfred Super League’s big disappointments in 2025 as Sam Burgess’ side lost the Challenge Cup final in heartbreaking fashion and went on to miss out on the play-offs.

It was a big step backwards after an encouraging first season under Burgess. But skipper George Williams believes the Wire will take a great deal from their travails of last term as they head into 2026 with great hope of silverware again.

“I don't think we gave a good account of ourselves,” England captain Williams tells The Sportsman Rugby League in partnership with Betfred. “Obviously we were a couple of minutes away from winning the Challenge Cup final, which disappointed us and I reckon on the back end of that we lost some momentum and lost some belief.”

That last-gasp 8-6 defeat to Hull KR at Wembley preceded a tough run of injuries which undermined Warrington’s league challenge and they eventually ended 10 points off the play-offs in eighth.

“Injuries are part of the game and we were unlucky last year,” the 31-year-old adds. “I think we had six or seven starters out for long periods of eight, 10, 12 weeks and some season-ending in Matty Ashton.

“But no excuses are made, we know we weren’t good enough and we’ve signed well and are looking forward to the next year. We’re trying to right some wrongs and close the gap between us and the top teams.”

One key change at the Halliwell Jones Stadium is the addition of former England and Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara to Burgess’ support staff. And it’s a move Williams says is already making a difference.

“Steve McNamara’s come in and laid some really good foundations for the group,” he explains.

“Sam's always been good for the group, he's a great leader of men, but I think Steve's come in and just brought a bit of clarity so we know our roles now. It's now about making it pitch perfect for the start of the year.”

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Winger Josh Thewlis adds that the experiences of last year should serve to provide context in key moments in the 2026 campaign.

“There’s massive competition to get into that top six, and we found out last year when we fell short,” he says. “We probably weren’t as good as we thought we were last year, and that’s something we've touched on a lot this pre-season.

“It's not going to be easy, we know that. It's not going to be straightforward, there’s going to be bumps in the road, and I think the group need a couple bumps in the road. It's the way we act on that, so I'm looking forward to the challenges and leading the group.”

The Wolves are 14/1 with Betfred to win a first-ever Super League title, and are the same price to claim the League Leaders’ Shield for the third time following 2011 and 2016 regular season successes. Thewlis is 18/1 to finish the 27 rounds with the most tries, with younger brother Jake on the same price.

Warrington begin their season with a Betfred Challenge Cup visit to Sheffield Eagles on Friday, then entertain St Helens in Round 1 of the Super League campaign on February 13.

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