Will 2026 finally be Warrington Wolves' year?

Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess took charge ahead of the 2024 season, following Daryl Powell's underwhelming spell in charge. In his first year, he guided the club to a Challenge Cup final at Wembley, where they lost to Wigan Warriors. The following year, Hull KR beat them in another final.

In 2025, Warrington missed the play-offs entirely, finishing eighth. This year, however, the club has been far more consistent, finishing third in the regular season behind Leeds, who took second place on points difference. In the play-offs, Warrington defeated both reigning champions Hull KR and Leeds to reach Saturday's Grand Final.

Despite the turnaround, Burgess played down suggestions that this season vindicated his approach, saying he would only know how satisfied he truly felt after the final whistle on Saturday. He credited the squad's belief in the club's long-term plan and its consistency throughout a season with several challenges.

A long wait

This marks Warrington's fifth Grand Final appearance at Old Trafford, following previous trips in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2018 — all ending in defeat. Since 2018, the club has struggled to compete at the top as St Helens, Wigan and Hull KR each enjoyed dominant periods.

Burgess said the team's previous big-game experience, including contributions from former England coach Steve McNamara, who joined as an assistant last October and will move to Hull FC next season, has helped shape this year's squad. Burgess, who won an NRL title as a player with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014, admitted that facing a Grand Final as a coach feels very different from experiencing one as a player.