Havard: Right the Wrongs

• Ethan Havard spoke ahead of Friday’s home opener against Wakefield.
• Havard: “I used to be a kid in that South Stand watching the players so now to do be able to do it is something I’m really proud of and can’t wait to get doing again.”
• You can buy tickets for the fixture by visiting or ringing the DW ticket office or by clicking HERE.

Ethan Havard sang the praises of the Wigan Warriors faithful ahead of their Round 2 home opener against Wakefield Trinity on Friday (8pm K.O.)

The 22-year-old was named in the starting line-up for Saturday’s 27-18 loss at Hull KR and has again been named in Matt Peet’s 21-man squad for the match: “It’s a big game for both teams.” he said.

“Both teams want to win and build some confidence going into the season. We need a big performance off the back of the weekend and we’re looking forward to getting back out there and putting some wrongs right and looking forward to being back in front of our home fans for the first time this year.”

Havard made his Wigan Warriors debut in this very fixture back in 2019, featuring as an interchange as Warriors ran out 46-16 victors at the DW stadium. 60 appearances later, the youngster is able to boast a League Leaders’ Shield (2020) and a Challenge Cup (2022), with last season’s campaign being his best scoring return so far with 5 tries. But the Bulgarian born prop-forward says there’s a drive to go further as a team: “It’s definitely in the back our minds to do better.

“We’ve always trained tough. We always have intense training, we want to replicate that (Challenge Cup victory) and go one step further this season.

“(Scoring tries) isn’t the biggest part of my game, I do the tough stuff first and anything that comes off the back of that I’m happy for.”

Having come through the Wigan Academy, Havard is no stranger to the character of Head Coach Matt Peet, who oversaw academy and junior players in his role as Head of Youth Performance between 2013 and 2018.

“I’ve had Matty as a coach since I was about 15,” he said, “I know how he coaches and I know what he expects. I like having him as my coach. He knows a lot of us young lads so it’s good.”

Peet’s men will be looking to bounce back in positive fashion as they play in front of home fans at the DW in the Super League for the first time in over 5 months. A lifelong Warriors fan, Havard says he is ‘buzzing’ to get back in front of the Wigan supporters.

“I used to be a kid in that South Stand watching the players so now to do be able to do it is something I’m really proud of and can’t wait to get doing again.” he said

“Every single week to turn out in front of the home fans is an absolute pleasure and something I’m proud to do. They give us such a boost and we want to play well for them. We’re definitely all looking forward to that. They’re massive and they help you through the tough times during the games. You can turn round and see them all cheering you on and it gives you that extra 10% to carry on and put in a good performance for them.”

Don’t miss Super League’s return to the DW Stadium, with pre-match entertainment from 90’s dance icon Rozalla! Tickets for the match can be bought by visiting or ringing the DW Ticket Office or by booking online HERE.