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Stefan Ratchford celebrates 10 years with the Warrington Wolves

On Saturday evening, the Warrington Wolves full-back faces his home town club the Wigan Warriors at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Having started his career at the Salford Red Devils in 2007, Stefan Ratchford played four seasons before making the move to the Wolves. The 33-year old revealed it was a tough decision choosing between Salford and Wigan Warriors for who would be Warrington’s opponents in his testimonial game.

“When it first came about and people were asking who I was going to play, I was a bit unsure to start with, people were mentioning Salford and obviously that would have been a nice touch because I started off at Salford, but being a Wigan lad and being from Wigan, playing for Wigan St Cuthberts and Wigan St Patrick’s swung it.

“It’s the Wigan games. I have a lot of friends who go and watch Wigan so that’s one of the main reasons why I look forward to the Wigan games. Having Salford as my testimonial game did cross my mind but it was always going to be Wigan.”

Ratchford’s testimonial game will be the Wolves’ first run out under their new coach, Daryl Powell, who left Castleford Tigers in the off-season after eight and a half years in charge. With nine weeks of pre-season behind them, the new Coach has already had a big impact on the squad.

“Daryl [Powell] coming in has been great, I think coming in after being at Cas for a long time, he was ready for a change, he’s come with his philosophies and his ideas, but I think he’s excited for the challenge that is ahead of him at Warrington.

“We are excited for the challenge that he has laid out for us players but it’s been good, it’s been a fantastic first nine weeks with him and the group, it is that time now in preseason where the intensity is building up and we are wanting to play a game. The last nine weeks have been hard graft and bashing each other is getting boring now so I can’t wait to finally play”.

Warrington Wolves vs Wigan Warriors is a game that does not need any hype or build-up. The rivalry between the two sides has increased since the sides met in three Super League Grand finals. This so-called ‘friendly’ is anything but that.

The meeting between the two sides sees Warrington legend Lee Briers return to the club for the first time having left to join near neighbours Wigan at the end of the 2021 season. It is also the first game in which players from either side have the opportunity to impress their new coach.

“I don’t think the game needs building up too much, if you look at what there is, obviously there are two different coaches from both teams and new players so it gives fans a first look at them. It is also Lee Briers’ first game back with another club, I have obviously played with him and been coached by him, he’s a Warrington legend with 25 years at the club, and he will be coming back for the first time.

“Shaun Wane is also back at Wigan so all the selling points are there. Hopefully, we see as many people down there as possible. It’s going to be a great game, and I think if you have seen the squads, both teams are going full strength and it should be an enthralling game to get us underway for the season before Round One against Leeds [Rhinos].”

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