Havard: A tough game

• Ethan Havard looks back at Monday’s loss at Hull KR.
• Havard: “We still want to focus on our performance so we won’t really be thinking about them.”
• Warriors preparing for final regular home game to Catalans Dragons on Friday.

Ethan Havard believes Monday’s 38-28 loss to Hull KR was “a tough game” and it is a hard place to go especially when playing with a young squad.

Havard told Wigan TV: “It’s not an easy place to go for the young lads on their debut. I think they can be proud of it; they all made a good account of themselves. Performance wise we could have got a bit more out of it; I think there was a few areas where we went a bit adrift but it was more about them that day so I was proud of them.”

Havard was asked about how Wigan finished strong and if the game was played over 90 minutes instead of 80 his side could have nicked it.

He replied: “Yes I could agree with that, probably a bit of nerves played on their mind, I think once they got over that they did have a good game.

“It brings it all back when you have young lads making their debut, obviously I was in the same boat not so long ago so it’s in the back of my mind every time, but it’s a great day, something they will always remember.”

Havard also talked about the inexperienced Catalans Dragons squad that has been named for the visit to the DW Stadium, with the forward saying: “Whoever is in front of us we just need to roll through them, we still want to focus on our performance so we won’t really be thinking about them.”

Thomas Leuluai is set to make his first appearance since the Betfred Challenge Cup Final and Havard was asked what he brings to the squad.

Havard said: “Tommy is a veteran now, he has been through a lot and he is a great player, he will definitely give us a boost, that leadership that he brings, he will look forward to getting back on the pitch.”