WHEN most of Warrington Wolves’ overseas signings first arrive in town, they do so not knowing what to expect.

For Dan Russell, however, that was not the case – and it was his brief experience of life in Warrington that helped him make up his mind to join the club.

The back-rower, who is the club’s only signing from the NRL for 2025 having penned a two-year deal, was part of the Papua New Guinea squad that based themselves in the town during the Rugby League World Cup in 2022.

That involved a game at The Halliwell Jones Stadium against the Cook Islands – one in which the 29-year-old featured – and several community events.

And it is clear the way in which he and his teammates were treated left a lasting impression on Russell, who now gets the chance to return the favour.

“Having been here before and played at the ground, it helped massively. It’s funny how things work out,” he said.

“I got a really good vibe from the town and it made the decision really easy.

“The people here really helped me and the PNG boys when we were here – they looked after us and made us feel welcome.

“I feel like I’ve got a lot to give back for that.

“It’s a big move coming over here – moving the other side of the world to play footy is hard, but Warrington have made it very easy and I want to give back to them for that for this year and next.

“The boys had a good year last year and with the group we’ve got, I think we can take that next step.”

Russell playing at The Halliwell Jones Stadium for Papua New Guinea against the Cook Islands during the Rugby League World Cup in 2022 (Image: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com) Russell’s career path is an intriguing one, with his international debut with the Kumuls coming before his NRL bow with St George Illawarra Dragons, who snapped him up following a successful “train-and-trial” period in 2023 after he had departed North Queensland Cowboys without breaking into the first team.

He finally got his NRL debut at the age of 27 in Round 19 of the 2023 campaign and made a further seven appearances beyond that, but the entire 2024 season was spent playing for the Dragons’ second-string in the New South Wales Cup.

That, he admits, has given him something of a motivation to prove that his best years remain ahead of him.

“We had a few late signings of back-rowers and that knocked me down the pecking order, which was a bit disappointing because I thought I finished the season quite well, but that’s footy,” he said.

“Not playing any NRL last year hurt a little bit and that’s given me a drive.

“I want to play top-level footy so when the opportunity came here with Sam and Warrington, I couldn’t knock it back.

“I’m 29 now and I feel like my best footy is yet to come.

“I’ve still got a lot to learn but having watched the way Sam (Burgess, Wire head coach) played and the way the boys went under him last year, I just couldn’t let this opportunity slide.

“I think my game can go to another level here and right now, I feel like I’m in the best nick I’ve been.

“I’ve been at a few clubs in the NRL now and I feel like I’ve got a good few years left in me. The timing is good for the move and I think it will really benefit me.”

Russell is one of only three new additions to the Wire squad for 2025 alongside half-back Oli Leyland and rugby union convert Alfie Johnson, but his is arguably the most significant given his area of the team is in something of a state of flux.

Matty Nicholson and John Bateman have left and Lachlan Fitzgibbon is working his way back from a shoulder injury, with doubts remaining over whether he will be fit to start the season.

Russell joins promising youngsters Adam Holroyd and Nolan Tupaea as options and as he bids to both help them and hold off their push for a first-team spot, the towering forward is looking forward to learning a few things himself from the experienced Fitzgibbon.

“He's a great player – I watched a lot of him back in Australia,” he said.

“He’s coming along really well so once he gets back into the swing of things, he’s going to be huge for our left edge.

“I’ve got a lot to learn from him as well, which is exciting.

“I think there’s only three changes to the squad this year, which is remarkable considering how they went.

“You need those young boys at your heels and there’s some good talent here in terms of back-rowers.

“That talent and fight for places keeps you on your toes but if I can help them learn, that’s exciting to.

“Having said that, I want to knuckle down and make that position my own.

“It’s an exciting year ahead and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”