Wigan star bidding for Grand Final redemption 12 months on from Old Trafford agony

England prop cut a dejected figure after limping out of last year's Super League title decider but he's in far better shape for this season's Old Trafford showdown with Hull KR

It's 12 months ago since Ethan Havard’s first Grand Final experience ended in agony.

It wasn’t because his Wigan side lost: they beat Catalans 10-2 in a tense affair at the Theatre of Dreams. But the England prop, playing his first game in three months following a hamstring tear, limped off just 10 minutes after coming on from the bench. He’d suffered a recurrence of the same injury and, after weeks of intensive rehab, the gamble to play on the biggest night of the year had backfired badly.

Although Havard, who was born in Bulgaria but grew up in Wigan, had no regrets, it didn’t make it any less painful. However, he will certainly be undergoing a less stressful build-up to this year’s title decider against Hull KR. Asked if he will be more desperate than anyone to have a big game, Havard admitted: “Yes, definitely.

“It will be a different experience to last time. I’m just excited to go and take it all in. I’ll put my best foot forward for this. I learned a lot from it [last year]. More than anything, you just learn how much you want it.”

Post-Grand Final, the 23 year-old was sidelined for another six months after requiring surgery and didn’t make his 2024 season debut until April. Ironically, that was in a rare loss to Rovers. But he's missed just one of the following 21 games as Warriors charged to the League Leaders’ Shield and tasted glory winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley.

Havard has operated as a starting prop for Matt Peet in each of the last ten and earned a place in England coach Shaun Wane’s initial plans for the Samoa Test series. He marks his 100th Wigan appearance in Saturday's Grand Final and said: “I am happy. I’m just enjoying it week by week. When you’re injured it kind of makes you realise how good it is to be fit and well. It reminds you to enjoy it every week. And I am enjoying my rugby in this team.”

Indeed, the hard-hitting front-row, who made his Test debut against France last year, is arguably producing career-best form. But he insisted: “I think I’ve got a lot more levels in me. I can get a good pre-season next year and build off the back of this. My confidence is definitely coming back after my injury so I am feeling pretty good.”

First, though, come Rovers who are bidding to spoil his party on Saturday and lift a first league title since 1985. Havard added: “Hull KR have a strong team so we’re expecting a big final. They're playing well but I like testing myself against good players. It’s exciting now. Getting there is probably the hardest part. Now we’ve just got to enjoy the week, prepare well and play well.”