After 12 years as a Warrington regular, captain Stefan Ratchford is having to get used to the weird scenario of knowing he’s no longer a nailed-on selection.
The former England star has only played once in the Wolves’ opening four games this term and is unsure when he’ll feature next. For a club legend, who has amassed almost 350 appearances, won two Challenge Cups and made four Grand Finals with Wire, it is a strange scenario to comprehend.
But you won’t find the utility back arguing with boss Sam Burgess, his former international team-mate who bizarrely is actually a year younger than him.
The 35 year-old has lost his centre spot to talented Academy product Connor Wrench. Ratchford, who won the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man-of-the-match when Wolves lost the 2018 Old Trafford title decider against Wigan, conceded: “It is a different situation for me. I’ve not been in this position before.
"I had the conversation with Sam before the season started that my role was probably going to change a bit this year. Unfortunately I then got injured just before the season started so I missed the first couple of weeks. I managed to get some game-time against Castleford and Sam was more than happy with the way I played and what I did in that game.
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"I jumped into that right centre spot when Wrenchy dropped out. But obviously he’s been playing well so Sam said he was going to put him back in, which is fine. It’s a long year so there will be other opportunities to get some game-time.”
There’s not even any likely scope to get Ratchford, who can also play full-back, stand-off or loose forward, on the bench given ex-Wigan star Sam Powell was recruited for his utility value.
And in-form Warrington, who have also sent hooker Brad Dwyer (Leigh), prop Joe Bullock and winger Matty Russell (both Hull) out on loan, head to London seeking a fourth straight win this Sunday. Their only slip-up was at Catalans on the opening weekend and they edged a classic 22-20 at Hull KR on Thursday.
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess (PA)Ratchford says the whole squad is behind Burgess’ decision-making.
He said: “We’re all fully on board - not just me - with not playing. There’s other lads who are not playing at the moment and we’re a real tight group and squad. Everyone understands there’s going to be players missing out each week. You can only select 17.
“At the moment it’s me in and out but I’m sure at some point someone else will be. We all have confidence in the 17 who turn out on match day looking to get the job done.”
Injured Aussie playmaker Josh Drinkwater missed the win at Rovers and crocked England captain George Williams sat out two games before. It would have been easy for Burgess to turn to Ratchford’s experience to slot in at half-back. But he plumped for 19 year-old and Ratchford insisted: “Leon was the right choice.
"Leon is a natural half-back and he’s developed these last couple of years when he’s had a bit of a taste of some game-time. He was the right choice when George dropped out. He’s been great there and the more he plays the better he will be.
“He said he felt pretty good with me defending by the side of him [against Castleford] - that bit of experience - and Thursday he had George as his half-back partner so that’s another star to develop and learn from. He’s going really well at the moment and he’s a great young player.
“We’ve got to keep helping him, guiding him along and get the best out of him while he’s here.”
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