New Warrington signing to miss start of season

Warrington forward Billy Magoulias will miss at least the first month of the new Super League season with an ankle injury.

Magoulias, 24, sustained the injury in pre-season training and has undergone an operation which will rule him out.

Coach Daryl Powell said: “Billy unfortunately picked up a training ground injury which required an operation. This has now been completed successfully and he is working through his rehab.

“We expect him to miss the first four to five rounds of the season. Billy has fitted in really well and we look forward to getting him back on the field as soon as possible.”

The Australian signed for the Wolves in October from NRL club Cronulla Sharks.

He has made 17 appearances in the NRL and was also part of the Greece squad that qualified for the World Cup.

Billy Magoulias is the third of Warrington’s six new signings for 2022 to be ruled out injury.

Forward James Harrison was injured playing for Featherstone last season, while former Hull KR centre Greg Minikin is also sidelined.

Their other recruits have been Castleford pair Peter Mata’utia and Oliver Holmes and Joe Bullock from Wigan.

Warrington play Leeds in the season opener on February 12, live on Channel 4.

Captain Jack Hughes is also expected to be missing through injury, so Jason Clark or Matt Davis are likely to feature at loose forward.

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Powell on first pre-season

Despite their injury worries, coach Powell has been impressed with what he’s seen in pre-season so far.

He told the club’s official website: “The boys have been great. They’ve looked after themselves and training exceptionally well.

“We’re in a great place. The quality of the player here, they’ve picked things up pretty quickly and it’s now about stepping up the intensity and making sure everybody understands what we’re looking for.

“I’ve been so impressed with the players.

“You look at the spine of the team, the club’s in great hands.”