Warrington have enjoyed their first Super League win of the season, hammering new boys Leigh 44-12 even without the help of their new superstar recruit Greg Inglis.
The Australian has been deemed not ready yet to make his eagerly-awaited comeback on Friday but Inglis will have liked what he saw as his new side racked up an impressive win with England halfback Gareth Widdop running the show at St Helens.
And Wolves coach Steve Price revealed after the game that Inglis will be ready to make his bow either next week or the week after.
Widdop, who by his own admission experienced a low-key first season in Super League in 2020, scored two tries, as did three-quarters Tom Lineham and Toby King, as the Wolves bounced back from the disappointment of their opening defeat by Castleford.
Price gave centre Jake Mamo the task of keeping Inglis’s shirt warm while the Australian great works his way up to fitness.
It proved something of a procession from the moment left winger Lineham gathered in Widdop’s cut-out pass on nine minutes and produced a one-handed put-down for the first of their eight tries.
Now Price could blood Inglis against Championship minnows Swinton in the Challenge Cup third round next week or in their next Super League game against Hull on April 18.
“The big fella is getting close,” Price said post-match. “If it’s not next week, it will be the week after.”