Wigan unveil squad with Partington return for Hull FC pre-season showdown

Key Points

• Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has named a 26-man squad for the final pre-season friendly against Hull FC.
• The match celebrates Liam Marshall’s testimonial year, marking his 10 professional seasons with his hometown club in 2026.
• Game takes place at Brick Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a 3pm kick-off.
• Wigan host Hull FC, dubbed the Cherry and Whites versus the Black and Whites.
• Brad O’Neill serves the second and final game of his two-match ban from last season’s Grand Final defeat to Hull KR.
• Harry Smith, Abbas Miski, and Sam Eseh remain sidelined for this fixture.
• Homegrown prop Ollie Partington expected to feature for the first time since returning to Wigan earlier this year.
• New recruits Jonny Vaughan and Dayon Sambou included, having played in Wigan’s pre-season defeat to North Wales Crusaders earlier this month.
• Academy halfback George Marsden named in the extended squad after impressing at the recent Tenerife training camp.
• Hull FC coach John Cartwright names a 24-man squad, including new signing Harvie Hill on a four-year contract from Wigan.
• Hull’s other new recruits: Jake Arthur, Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, Sam Lisone, and Arthur Romano.
• Full Wigan squad: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Jack Farrimond, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Nathan Lowe, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Tiaki Chan, Jonny Vaughan, Dayon Sambou, George O’Loughlin, George Marsden.
• Full Hull FC squad: Jake Arthur, Yusuf Aydin, Connor Bailey, Harvey Barron, Joe Batchelor, Amir Bourouh, Tom Briscoe, Callum Kemp, Jed Cartwright, Cade Cust, Brad Fash, Zak Hardaker, Harvie Hill, Will Hutchison, Will Kirby, Lloyd Kemp, Sam Lisone, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Elliot Middlemas, Will Pryce, Arthur Romano, Hugo Salabio, Ligi Sao.

Wigan (Manchester Mirror) January 30, 2026 – Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has named a 26-man squad to face Hull FC in their final pre-season friendly, a special match honouring homegrown winger Liam Marshall’s testimonial year. The Cherry and Whites welcome the Black and Whites to the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday at 3pm, capping preparations for the 2026 season while celebrating Marshall’s decade of service to his hometown club.

Who Has Been Named in Wigan Warriors’ Squad?

The Wigan Warriors’ 26-man squad features a blend of established stars and promising talents. Key inclusions are Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, and the man of the hour, Liam Marshall, alongside Bevan French. Forwards like Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, and Patrick Mago anchor the pack. Ollie Partington, the homegrown prop who rejoined Wigan earlier this year, is set for his first appearance since his return. New signings Jonny Vaughan and Dayon Sambou, who featured in the recent pre-season loss to North Wales Crusaders, also make the cut. Academy product George Marsden earns a spot after shining at the Tenerife training camp, joined by Jack Farrimond, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Nathan Lowe, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, Tiaki Chan, and George O’Loughlin.

What Injuries and Bans Affect Wigan’s Line-Up?

Several players will miss out for Wigan. Brad O’Neill sits out the second and final match of his two-match ban, incurred after last season’s Grand Final defeat to Hull KR. Halfback Harry Smith, winger Abbas Miski, and prop Sam Eseh remain sidelined, depriving coach Peet of key options in the early pre-season.

Why Is This Match Liam Marshall’s Testimonial?

Liam Marshall, Wigan’s homegrown winger, celebrates 10 professional seasons with the club in 2026. This friendly serves as his official testimonial, paying tribute to his loyalty and contributions. The fixture underscores Marshall’s deep roots in the club and community, drawing fans to honour a local hero.

Which New Signings Debut for Wigan Warriors?

Ollie Partington’s anticipated return marks a significant moment, as the prop comes back to his boyhood club. Jonny Vaughan and Dayon Sambou, fresh recruits, build on their experience from the North Wales Crusaders defeat earlier this month. George Marsden’s inclusion highlights youth development, following his standout performance on the Tenerife camp.

Who Makes Hull FC’s 24-Man Squad?

Hull FC coach John Cartwright has selected a 24-man group for the trip over the Pennines. New signing Harvie Hill, who joined on a four-year deal from Wigan in the off-season, headlines the visitors. Fellow recruits Jake Arthur, Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, Sam Lisone, and Arthur Romano bolster the ranks. The full squad comprises Jake Arthur, Yusuf Aydin, Connor Bailey, Harvey Barron, Joe Batchelor, Amir Bourouh, Tom Briscoe, Callum Kemp, Jed Cartwright, Cade Cust, Brad Fash, Zak Hardaker, Harvie Hill, Will Hutchison, Will Kirby, Lloyd Kemp, Sam Lisone, Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, Elliot Middlemas, Will Pryce, Arthur Romano, Hugo Salabio, and Ligi Sao.

When and Where Does the Testimonial Match Take Place?

The clash unfolds at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium on Sunday afternoon, with a 3pm kick-off. As the final pre-season outing for both sides, it bridges winter training and the competitive campaign ahead.

How Does This Fit Wigan’s Pre-Season Schedule?

This game follows Wigan’s earlier pre-season defeat to North Wales Crusaders, where Vaughan and Sambou gained minutes. The Tenerife training camp also featured, with Marsden impressing enough for squad selection. Coach Peet uses the fixture to integrate returnees like Partington and test depth amid absences.

What Role Does Harvie Hill Play for Hull FC?

Harvie Hill’s inclusion carries intrigue, having swapped Wigan for Hull FC on a long-term contract. The move represents a coup for Cartwright, adding youthful dynamism from a rival Super League powerhouse.

Who Are Hull FC’s Key New Recruits?

Beyond Hill, Hull integrate Jake Arthur, Joe Batchelor, Connor Bailey, Sam Lisone, and Arthur Romano. These additions signal an ambitious rebuild, blending experience with potential for the journey to Wigan.

As reported in the original coverage from Wigan Today, the squads reflect careful pre-season planning by both coaches. Matt Peet’s selections balance experience from champions like Field, French, and Farrell with emerging talents, while John Cartwright eyes a strong start across the Pennines. No direct quotes from Peet or Cartwright appear in the reporting, but the squad announcements speak to strategic intent: building cohesion, honouring milestones, and unveiling new faces.

This testimonial not only spotlights Liam Marshall’s journey—from academy prospect to seasoned winger—but also previews Super League rivalries. Wigan, fresh off Grand Final heartbreak last year, seek momentum without O’Neill, Smith, Miski, and Eseh. Hull, under Cartwright, aim to impress with Hill’s homecoming and other newcomers.

The Brick Community Stadium expects a vibrant atmosphere, blending pre-season testing with community celebration. Fans anticipate Partington’s comeback, Marsden’s breakthrough, and Marshall’s moment. For Hull, it’s a chance to gel Arthur, Batchelor, Bailey, Lisone, Romano, and Hill against top-tier opposition.

In broader context, such friendlies sharpen edges before the 2026 grind. Wigan’s depth shines through 26 names, covering backs like Eckersley, Keighran, Wardle; middles like Havard, Thompson, Nsemba; and utilities like Farrimond, Forber. Hull’s 24-man list mixes grit—Bourouh, Fash, Sao—with flair from Cust, Pryce, Hardaker.

Neutral observers note both benches offer rotation flexibility. Wigan’s McDermott, Kerr, Lowe, Mason, Hodkinson, Chan provide forward firepower; Hull’s Barron, Briscoe, Litten add speed. The 3pm start suits families, amplifying testimonial vibes.

Historically, Wigan-Hull clashes fuel Super League lore. This edition, though friendly, teases intensity—Cherry and Whites versus Black and Whites, testimonial twist. Marshall’s 10 years embody loyalty rare in modern rugby league.

Coaches Peet and Cartwright prioritise fitness, tactics amid absences. Wigan’s Tenerife camp and Crusaders loss inform picks; Hull’s off-season hauls promise freshness. Squads confirm no surprises beyond bans and injuries.

As gates open Sunday, eyes fix on Partington’s minutes, Vaughan-Sambou progress, Marsden spark, Hill impact. Marshall’s tribute crowns it—a nod to grassroots-to-greatness. Pre-season ends; stakes loom.