Wigan looking to tie down off-contract prop Ethan Havard

Wigan coach Matt Peet says the club are keen to secure the long-term services of prop Ethan Havard, with his current deal due to expire at the season’s end.

There is an option in the 21-year-old’s deal though for 2023, which is in the club’s favour.

The Bulgaria-born prop has played a key role in Peet’s side this season, playing 14 games as well as helping the Warriors lift the Challenge Cup.

Peet was impressed with Havard’s display in their 30-12 win at Salford on Friday night, he said: “I thought Ethan Havard’s performance was outstanding and he helped turn the game around.”

Despite only being 21, Havard has already made more than 50 appearances for the first team.

And Peet is keen to see the former England Academy international commit his long-term future to the Warriors.

When asked if the club want to extend Havard’s deal by Love Rugby League, Peet said: “We will be looking to, yeah.

“I think it is no secret that I’m a massive admirer of Ethan.

“He’s happy and hopefully we can get something sorted. He’s the kind of player that you want to build around.

“I understand people being excited about Jai (Field) and Bevan (French) but to have a 21-year-old front-rower playing like that is exciting to me.”

FULL LIST: Every Super League player out of contract at end of 2022

Wigan want to build around players like Ethan Havard

Peet believes his side have got the right blend of youth and experience at the moment, with a crop of rising stars coming into the pack such as Morgan Smithies, Ollie Partington, Liam Byrne and Havard.

He added: “I love the group that we’ve got. They are a great set of lads and building a club around players like that is what we all want to do.

“Me, Kris (Radlinski, executive director) and Ian (Lenagan, owner) talk about it regularly that we’ve got some players that we can build around.

“If you want sustained success, you don’t want a high turnover. We’ve got a pack of forwards there we are really proud of.

“When you’ve got players like (Brad) Singleton, (John) Bateman, (Liam) Farrell and (Willie) Isa – you’ve got some good role models so I think we are getting a good blend there. Mike Cooper will come into the mix next season. They are a pleasure to work with.”

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