Ethan Havard’s injury return fails as Wigan Warriors prop limps off within minutes

Ethan Havard’s return from injury lasted mere minutes after the Wigan Warriors prop hobbled off in the Super League Grand Final. The England international was named on the bench for the Warriors at Old Trafford, making a return following a three-month absence with a hamstring injury.

But the 22-year-old lasted ten minutes before signalling to the bench and was promptly withdrawn, with Havard visibly upset as he limped from the field. The injury appears to be a recurrence of the hamstring injury that saw him sit out the backend of the campaign. It came after a thunderous collision after taking a carry, after which he immediately showed signs of concern.

He entered the game with extensive strapping around his hamstring, which had already been noted by many. In the build-up to the game, Wigan coach Matt Peet had admitted playing Havard did come with an element of risk, but the Warriors were confident enough about his fitness.

It left Wigan an interchange down for the final 50 minutes of the game, with Havard consoled by his Wigan teammates on the bench after coming off. At the time, the Warriors were 2-0 ahead in a tense battle, with Harry Smith kicking a penalty goal while Catalans were down to twelve men after Adam Keighran was shown a yellow card for a tip tackle.