Few players understand the pressure and importance of playing for Wigan more than Sam Powell.
Born and bred in the town with a childhood dream of representing the club he holds so close to his heart, Powell knows what it means to pull on a cherry and white shirt every single weekend.
It is something he has done well over 200 times throughout his career, and now firmly established as the club’s out-and-out number nine, the feeling of pride will, you suspect, never fade: nor will the fact Powell relishes the pressure which comes with his job.
“There is pressure here every time you step out on the field - but probably more so if you’re from round here,” Powell admits.
“When you’re brought up in the town, and then come through the system, you’re aware of the pressure everywhere you turn. You can’t have a good game and just relax. You’ve got to be consistent every single week.”
Consistency is a word high on Powell’s agenda this season. Having now locked down the hooker role at the Warriors in recent years, the 28-year-old is focussed on performing at the highest level every week, as Adrian Lam’s side look to continue their unbeaten start to 2021 on Thursday against Hull.
“I’ve started okay, not great,” he admits. “It’s going well out on the field with the boys which helps, but my focus is to be as consistent as possible.
“The number nine shirt, it comes with a lot of pressure to be as consistent as possible. There’s been some great players who have worn it in the past. I’m very aware of that.
“As a team, we’re not up to the level where we finished last season at, but I guess the important thing is that we’re picking up wins. You can’t question our effort, and throughout the year we’ll get better, and I will too.”
And that may yet have further rewards for Powell. The hooking department is arguably the most plentiful Shaun Wane has at his disposal in terms of selection for this year’s World Cup. That will be a difficult battle for Powell to break his way into, but he remains as determined as ever.
“Every player wants to play for England but it's not something I’m hanging my hat on right now,” he says. “It’s trying to be as consistent as I can be, and I'll get the call from Shaun if I've done well. My target is to make sure this group wins something this year.”
