Kevin Brown hails the player who has been a ‘revelation’ for Wigan

Kevin Brown has hailed Wigan’s utility man Joe Shorrocks, who he describes as being a ‘revelation’ since coming back in to Matt Peet’s side.

Shorrocks was down the pecking order at the Warriors in the early rounds of the season. He spent a month on loan with Leigh, impressing in his four appearances the Leopards.

The 23-year-old has been a key component in Peet’s side ever since he returned from his loan spell across the borough.

Injuries to full-back Jai Field and half-back Cade Cust saw Shorrocks fill the void at stand-off, building up a strong partnership with Harry Smith in the halves.

Speaking on The Sportsman’s The Last Tackle show, Brown showered Shorrocks in praise for the job he’s done so far.

“When Jai Field got injured, I thought ‘that’s it, I don’t know where they are going to get a six from’,” Brown said.

“Shorrocks has come in and has been an absolute revelation and been the balance they’ve got within that squad.

“Shorrocks defensively is showing that attitude and whenever Bevan French gets the ball, it is either a try or a try assist.

“Bevan is just creating so many problems for defences at the minute and when Jai Field comes back I don’t know where he plays. He’ll definitely get in the side, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not sure he slots back in to full-back.”

Joe Shorrocks ‘will fight for everything’

Shorrocks’ versatility has proven invaluable for the Warriors this season, with him being comfortable at stand-off, hooker, loose forward, back-row and at centre.

“Wigan have got what they’ve always had – that resilience, that grit,” said Paul Sculthorpe, also appearing on The Last Tackle.

“Joe Shorrocks is not going to create anything in attack in regards to flair, but he is another body who will fight for everything.

“When you can strangle teams out of a game and when you’ve got players like French who can do something out of nothing… I thought when Wigan moved him to full-back and Field to six, I think it was the Leigh game, you got a completely different look at Wigan.”

Kevin Brown excited to see Morgan Smithies make England debut

Wigan have six representatives in Shaun Wane’s 19-man England squad to take on France in Warrington on Saturday.

Kai Pearce-Paul is the only player who has previously played for England, meaning Ethan Havard, Toby King, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies and Jake Wardle could win their first England caps.

“I like the way Smithies is going about his game at the minute as well,” Brown added.

“He is typical Wigan, isn’t he? He is getting under the skin (of the opposition) and is doing big minutes. He’s one player I’m really looking forward to watching in that international arena this weekend.”

England face France in the international double-header in Warrington on Saturday. The women’s test gets underway at 2pm, followed by the men’s at 4:30pm, both live on Sky Sports.

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