Wells: Excited to be back

  • Jack Wells looks ahead to Tuesday’s game against St Helens at the AJ Bell Stadium (K.O. 7:45pm).
  • The second-row talks about his return to fitness, remaining focused during the hard times and leading the team.
  • Wells: “It was a good feeling and I loved every minute of being back out there with the boys.”

Jack Wells says it was a ‘good feeling’ to be back out on the field for the first time in three years in Wigan Warriors as he prepares to play his second game in five days.

Wigan take on St Helens in the first derby of 2020 at the AJ Bell Stadium (K.O. 7:45pm) on Tuesday night and Wells has been named in the 21-man squad.

After making his first Warriors appearance since 2017 on Friday night against Wakefield Trinity, Wells shared his delighted to be playing rugby in Cherry and White again.

He said: “I was just excited to get the call up. I came into training after lockdown and just worked so hard to try and get into the team, so it was a good feeling and I loved every minute of being back out there with the boys.

“From where I’ve come from, I am just proud of myself, and so are my friends and family.”

The 23-year-old feels the time he spent away on loan at Swinton Lions (2019) and Toronto Wolfpack (2020) was an important part of his recovery which has enabled him to make his return for Wigan.

“I enjoyed having a run out on Friday after having so long out. I am grateful to have played for Swinton last year to get my match fitness up, and then Toronto to get back up to where I was before I got injured.

“I only had two games (at Toronto) and was getting into my rhythm and it was my luck we had lockdown, but I think things happen for a reason, and if it hadn’t I might not have the opportunity I have today with the people I’m playing alongside. I’m really excited, we are ready to go.”

After a frustrating time out on the sidelines with numerous injuries and set-backs, Wells revealed his mental struggle.

“I was in a bad place, mentally, but I met my girlfriend around that time, so she was the one that stopped me from going insane because all I wanted to do was play. I was in training but doing rehab, so I felt left out. I just had a tunnel vision to get to where I am now and come back on the better side, I feel stronger now.

“The plan is to keep turning up in training every day and working my hardest, and hopefully get a few more games in before the season ends, by containing to impress the coaches.”

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Tuesday 29 September 2020