After all, the performance of the biggest men on the field will go a long way towards determining whether the new season will be one of success or another of struggle.
There are plenty who feel that The Wire again lack size and punch through the middle of the field, with Paul Vaughan’s departure to York Knights increasing concerns.
However, the man who joined Vaughan in the starting front row for much of 2025 believes there is plenty to be excited about from those who have come in to help replace him.
“They’ve been two great signings so far,” Wire’s new number eight Luke Yates told the Warrington Guardian when asked about the impact of new arrivals Liam Byrne and Toafofoa Sipley on the group.
“Both of them are great fellas – I’d heard a lot about Toff and how much of a legend he is, and he’s been great since he came over in terms of our culture and connection.
“Byrney’s come in over the last couple of weeks as he came in late, but he’s been a great addition.
“He’s very driven and a no-nonsense sort of lad who’s fitted in really well.”
And then, of course, there are those who remain including James Harrison, who has inherited Vaughan’s number 10 shirt.
A prop known to be well-liked by England head coach Shaun Wane, the need for surgeries on niggling injuries has taken away any chance of post-season international representation in recent years, including the recent Ashes series as he went under the knife to correct a shoulder issue that dogged the second half of his season.
Now, Yates is hopeful the Yorkshireman has put those problems behind him.
“Jimmy played so many games busted last year, but he kept putting his hand up for the team and putting his body on the line,” he said.
“He’s had a couple of surgeries since and he’s looking great at the minute. He’s healthy and coming in for a big season.”
While Yates, Harrison and the two new arrivals are among the established members of the middle unit, there is plenty of excitement about what one of its youngest operators can add in 2026.
Having got his first taste of Super League at the back end of 2025, Tom McKinney is looking to kick on and despite still only being a teenager, he is one of the team’s biggest bodies at 6ft 4ins tall and weighing more than 105kgs.
For him, refinement and patience will be key – and Yates says he has been keen to help with that.
“I was doing a little bit of work with him last year – he came and grabbed me and asked if I could do some work with him on his tackles,” he said.
“He’s eager to learn and has a load of potential.
“He’s a great athlete now is Tommy, but he’ll probably end up putting on another five kilos of muscle.
“He’s got a big frame and with the way we’re training at the minute, he’s going to get bigger and bigger and improve physically.
“That’s not to say he’s nowhere near at the minute, but his potential for development is massive.”
As the Australian hinted above, there appears to have been a big shift in the way in which Warrington have attacked their pre-season – he went on to say he and his teammates have “had the legs run off them” in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
But he went on to reveal that the squad have risen to the challenge, and picked out one man in particular who has caught the eye.
“You’d be surprised by how fit some of the lads are – Ben Currie has been unbelievable,” he said.
“We’ve got some fit lads in this group and I think the work we’ve been doing will be perfect for hitting the ground running when the season starts.
“It’s been really hard but it’s been consistent, and I think that’s the main thing we’ve been missing.
“Between Sam (Burgess) and the staff, with Steve McNamara coming in as well, they’ve really tried to nail that consistent skill as well as running the legs off us as well.
“It’s been really good – I’ve been impressed with how everyone’s come back in and the work we’ve put in.
“Steve’s been all about fundamentals and nailing that basic skill.
“He’s been a great acquisition for the club – I think the young lads in particular are getting a lot off the back of his knowledge.”