Sam Burgess is confident of being able to get the best out of James Bentley in a Warrington Wolves shirt.
Bentley was one of several off-season recruits made by the Wolves ahead of the 2026 Super League season and it’s fair to say his switch was one of the most surprising.
The back-rower was contracted to remain at Leeds Rhinos this year, but a statement released in October confirmed that the 27-year-old had been let go with immediate effect. The circumstances behind the decision have not been confirmed, but Warrington moved swiftly to take the forward to the Halliwell Jones Stadium on an initial 12-month contract.
Since then Bentley has struggled with niggles and he had to be withdrawn from the action on his competitive debut for the club against Sheffield Eagles due to a back issue. As such, he missed the clash with his former club St Helens in round one and it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to make his Super League bow for the side next week against Wakefield Trinity.
Bentley does have competition for places with Sam Stone and Kelepi Tanginoa joining Warrington over the winter, too. But Burgess is backing the forwars to produce his best stuff in primrose and blue once he’s fully fit.
“He’s been good,” Burgess said when asked about the 28-year-old. “He had a bit of a niggle in pre-season so he’s not done all of pre-season. He’s going to develop as the year goes on.
“I’ve met James before and whatever happened with him, I think there’s a good man in there and he’s a great player. I believe we can get the most out of him.
“I think the club and our group of players as we are now, can help him get some good rugby. That was the decision behind it, I took him for a coffee and I enjoyed his company and we felt like we’d help each other out.”
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