Warrington Wolves make captaincy call for 2025 season
A CHANGE in club captaincy has been confirmed by Warrington Wolves heading into the 2025 season.
Having led the side for most of last year, stand-off George Williams will now officially take over the role of club captain in place of Stefan Ratchford.
The club say veteran utility back Ratchford, who has held the role for the past two seasons, will still be part of the team’s leadership group in support of Williams.
It means the 30-year-old can now add club captaincy to his role as England skipper – a duty he has fulfilled since 2023.
And as he bids to put his own stamp on the role, Williams says he will continue to lean on those around him for support.
“It’s a proud moment for me to be named Warrington captain,” said the former Wigan man, who has scored 32 tries in 82 appearances since joining The Wire in 2021.
“I really love the group we’ve got here and there’s many leaders around the place who I will lean on too.
“Leadership is definitely something that has come more natural to me the older I’ve got.
“I’ve been around the game a long time now – I’m only 30 so I’ve still got a lot to give, but it’s something I’ve worked on and I’m really proud that I’ve been able to do so.
“I feel the full community has really got behind the club since Sam (Burgess, head coach) has come in.
“The fans know there is a passion and commitment from the group every time we play and this year will be no different.”
George Williams' first on-field moment of 2025 came against Leigh Leopards on Saturday (Image: Neil Ashurst/P&B Pictures)
Analysis - 'an official passing of the torch'
By Matt Turner
IN truth, this is just a rubber-stamping of what we already knew - George Williams is Warrington Wolves' on-field leader.
He was for most of last season having captained the side in 20 of his 26 appearances during 2024, but this is a more official passing of the torch.
It is expected and logical - Williams will play whenever he is available whereas Ratchford's spot in the side is far from guaranteed - and as the new skipper himself says, the veteran will continue to play a big part in the players' leadership group.
Far be it from a case of many cooks spoiling the broth, however, with Williams himself admitting he is still growing as a leader despite captaining his country for the best part of two years. The more strong and confident voices he has around him, the better.
And there are a few of those - Sam Powell, for example, was a big part of a winning culture at Wigan Warriors, Luke Yates was a Super League captain at Huddersfield for several years and Danny Walker's burgeoning leadership traits are highly thought-of.
Whether or not those three will join Ratchford in the leadership group that solidifies around Williams is yet to be seen or confirmed, but there can be no doubt now as to who Wire's true leader is.
(Image: Joe Richardson)
