Wigan Warriors' Harry Smith insists lessons learned as he makes Super League semi vow

England scrum-half, 24, has bounced back from three-game ban and is ready to show his class against Leigh Leopards as champions aim for Old Trafford again

Wigan's Harry Smith insists he’s learned from his red card “brain snap” and is now only fired up to get back to Old Trafford.

The England scrum-half recently copped a three-game ban for a forearm smash to the head of Leeds’ James Bentley. But he’s returned to the champions’ side to help guide them to Saturday’s Super League semi-final against Leigh. And Smith, 24, recalled: “It was a build-up of frustration.

“We weren't playing very well, had a short turnaround and there were so many different factors. It was just a bit of a brain snap. I’ve definitely learned from it. I spoke to Matty and the coaching staff about how I need to get better. And having more calmness in these situations has definitely helped me these last three weeks since I’ve been back.

“It was difficult missing out but I took the positives out of it, rested up and looked at things I can improve on. It was a real positive we didn’t lose a game while I was out. And now we’re all really looking forward to Saturday. These are the games you want to be involved in and why you play the sport. We’re raring to go.”

Wigan currently hold all four major trophies and are big favourites to see off Leigh who are playing their first Super League semi-final. But the Leopards have won 11 of their last 13 games on a remarkable run. And Smith warned: “They are a different side to the one we’ve beaten before this season.

“They’ve got their injured players back and when you’re playing together week in week out, building connections you gain rhythm. They have strike all over, it’ll be a tough game with great intensity. We know we’ll get the best of Leigh - and we must be at our best to get to the Grand Final.”

Smith, meanwhile, knows all about Leigh boss Adrian Lam - who was his coach at Wigan when he first made his breakthrough. He said: "Lammy was good for me. He gave me my debut and helped me to learn how to play first-team rugby.

"I really have respect for him to give me that opportunity and teach me so much.

"Being a half-back himself, he taught me stuff that perhaps no other coach could. I was really happy to have him as my first coach."

Meanwhile, Willie Isa, 35, has signed a new one-year deal with Wigan which takes the New Zealander second-row into his tenth campaign with the champions.