Wigan Warriors boss explains the qualities that have got Liam Byrne to 100 appearances, sets challenge to reach next 100

Wigan Warriors coach Matt Peet has paid tribute to Liam Byrne ahead of the Ireland international’s milestone appearance for the club.

Byrne will play his 100th game for the Warriors when they take on Hull FC at the DW Stadium on Friday night.

The Ireland international, who played in last year’s World Cup, came through the ranks at Wigan, making his first team debut in 2019.

Speaking in his weekly press conference, Wigan coach Matt Peet gave big raps to Byrne, who will play his 100th Wigan game on his 24th birthday.

“From day one he’s been a pleasure to work with,” Peet told Love Rugby League. “I think we all say the same at Wigan, when you first meet Liam you take a liking for him.

“He’s so unassuming but equally he is very determined and to play 100 games at his age – in that position – is a credit to him, his toughness, his durability and how professional he is.

“He plays quite a physical and uncompromising style, so if he can build on these 100 games, I think we’ve got ourselves a really good front-rower.

“I think the most important thing is that the lads make it a good night for him by performing in a way that is fitting.”

‘He brought me in when I was 17’ – Liam Byrne on his strong relationship with Matt Peet

Byrne joined Wigan’s academy on trial at the age of 17 from his local community club Cadishead Rhinos.

Peet was head of youth at the Warriors at the time, and has overseen much of Byrne’s development from being a promising youngster to an international, starting front-rower.

“He kind of brought me in when I was 17, I was on trial with the academy when I first came in, so I’ve worked with him ever since really,” Byrne said of Peet.

“I’ve always known what he needs from me and he’s always been very clear on that since I was young so I know what he expects from me and he has high standards for me so I always want to do well.

“I think it’s good to be able to build that relationship with the coach and have so much time with him. It’s good to have him in my corner and he’s a great coach so I’m very grateful for him.”

100 not out for Irish powerhouse Liam Byrne

Despite only turning 24 this weekend, Byrne has already achieved a lot in the game. The Salford-born prop has already represented his Irish heritage in a World Cup, won a Challenge Cup and will be joining Wigan’s 100 club.

“I’m really looking forward to it, it’s my 100th game and it’s my birthday on Friday as well so it’s going to be a good day,” Byrne said.

“Most of my family are coming. I think my brothers might be an exception, I don’t think they can make it but I’ll have plenty of my family there, so it should be a good day.

“I think probably the Challenge Cup last year (was the highlight of the 100 games), even just the build up to that and the games we had to win to get there.

“I think that whole experience and the tension of it all, getting to the final and winning it the way we did was the best thing ever so that’s probably the highlight of it for me.”

Wigan’s number 10

Another highlight for Byrne is to be given the number 10 jersey for Wigan, a number that has seen so many Wigan greats wear it before him.

“When I found out before I came in for pre-season I was very grateful and very happy to be able to wear that shirt,” Byrne added.

“I was honoured, I know what it means to take the shirt from the people before me and how big of a deal it is, so I was very grateful.”

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