Wigan prop Liam Byrne outlines 2022 goals with an eye on World Cup
Wigan prop Liam Byrne would love to play in the World Cup this autumn, but he wants to do something special in clubland before it.
The 22-year-old front-rower has made 44 appearances for Wigan since making his first team debut in 2019. He helped the Warriors clinch the League Leaders Shield in 2020.
Byrne is enjoying working with a familiar face in Wigan’s new head coach Matt Peet. Byrne played under Peet during his academy days whilst with the Warriors.
“It’s been pretty good, obviously I’ve worked under Matty before from academy,” Byrne told Love Rugby League.
“It’s been good. I’ve been in doing quite long hours and putting a lot of work in. There has been a big focus around the team and the community and what we can give back to the community. Team spirit is good and there is a lot of positivity.
“My goal is just to do my best to get in the squad every week and keep competing and to get as far as we can this year.
“I want to do what I can for the team and give my absolute best whenever I’m on the pitch to give myself the best chance to keep playing.
“I think with the hard work we’ve put in during pre-season and the team ethos we’ve been pushing we are giving ourselves to do good things this year.”
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World Cup ambitions for Liam Byrne
Byrne was born and raised in Salford but is of Irish heritage through his father’s side, who hail from Belfast. He has won four caps for Ireland since making his international debut in 2018.
The former Cadishead Rhinos junior said is keen on playing in the World Cup this autumn, which takes place in England.
He added: “I would like to play in it. I’ve played for Ireland before so I could be playing for them in the World Cup. We’ll see what happens.
“It was good playing for Ireland. It was quite touching playing for them like singing the national anthem and thinking about my grandad. He had passed not so long ago so it was a proud moment to make my debut for them. My family were made up for me, it was class.”
