Wigan captain Farrell to retire at end of season

Wigan Warriors captain Liam Farrell, one of the game's most decorated players, will end his playing career after this season.

The second row forward has won six Super Leagues, five League Leaders' Shields, five Challenge Cups and the World Club Challenge on two occasions.

Farrell, 36, has scored 151 tries in 428 games for his hometown club since his debut in 2010.

He was made captain before the 2023 season and was the skipper when Wigan won an unprecedented quadruple in 2024.

Capped 12 times by England, Farrell was contracted until the end of next season but has not played since the end of June because of a shoulder injury.

"It's been a whirlwind of a career, more than I could ever have dreamed of doing," he told the club's website., external

"Although I'll be sad not to be playing any more, I'm also very grateful for the career I have had and I can now look forward to the next part of my life."

Farrell has a strong rugby league background, with his cousin being Wigan legend Andy, who is now head coach of Ireland's rugby union team.

Farrell came through the Warriors' academy system and made his debut as a teenager in April 2010.

By the end of that year, he had appeared in Wigan's Grand Final success over St Helens at Old Trafford, having also played a few games on loan at Widnes Vikings.

Since then, the forward has only ever played for the Cherry and Whites - a pillar of consistency in the pack.

As well as the team honours, Farrell has been included in the Super League Dream Team on six occasions, while he was also the Harry Sunderland Trophy winner as player of the match in the 2016 Grand Final win over Warrington Wolves.

He was the natural replacement to succeed Thomas Leulaui as Wigan skipper and his quiet authority has been at the forefront of a new glorious era under head coach Matt Peet.

Farrell has won seven of the 11 trophies available to Wigan during his time as captain, the most recent being the Challenge Cup at Wembley in May.

He could add two more before he retires, as Wigan chase the League Leaders' Shield this week and the Grand Final next month.

"You have to make the right call at the right time, and I think I have done that," he said. "Speaking to people close to me, professionals and the advice I have been given, it's the right time.

"Playing one game for Wigan was always the goal for me. If I had have done that and never played again I'd have been immensely proud, my family would have been proud and we'd have gone back to being Wigan fans.

"So to have been able to play over 400 games in this jersey has been nothing short of incredible."