by IT comes with something when, although he is only 21 years old himself, Josh Thewlis is considered a senior member of a fringe unit.
That’s how it’s been at times this season, though, and he believes Warrington Wolves’ young right wing is getting stronger by the week.
Youngsters Adam Holroyd, Leon Hayes and Connor Wrench are trusted by head coach Sam Burgess to continue their development within the team despite being targeted by the opposition, with seven of The Wire’s 10 tries this season coming past the right edge.
Experience has fallen in at times, with Stefan Ratchford and George Williams in the limelight in the last two games but in the Round Two win over Hull FC, the quartet of Hayes, Holroyd, Wrench and Thewlis made a complete home edge. unit.
With 65 first-team caps under his belt, Thewlis is the most experienced of the four and believes Burgess’ faith in the younger members of the squad has helped boost his confidence.
“We have a youth advantage and it hasn’t been perfect at all, but we are working hard on each other,” said the reigning Super League Young Player of the Year.
“We’re not stupid – we know we’ve put in some effort. We looked back at them and we are trying to improve ourselves.
“We’re not happy with the goals and meters we’re conceding on that side but I think we’ve improved in every game.
“All credit has to go to Sam – it would have been easy to make changes but he’s got us going again and we’re looking better as a forward now.
“We still have a lot of work to do but since the first game we’ve played, things are a lot better.
“Wrenchy has had a few games now and is finding his feet but for Adam and Leon, I think everyone is really proud of them.
“Especially for Gaz Chambers and Rich Marshall and it’s great that the club has confidence in these young lads.
“We have a “next thing” mentality and if you’re ready, Sam will put you in and that’s what we’ve been told.
“Adam and Leon have done really well – they’ve more than done their part.”
By starting the Round Five win over Hull KR last week, Holroyd and Hayes played their third consecutive first-team game for the first time.
Both have played their part in The Wire’s result so far, with Hayes providing a smart kick assist for Matty Ashton’s try and Holroyd topping the team’s tackle charts with 39.
With Sunday’s trip to London Broncos leading to a long 10-day turnaround, the players were given the weekend off to recover and Thewlis, which meant more time to spend with his new family.
The winger missed the Round One trip to Catalans Dragons after he and partner Ella welcomed their first child – a daughter named Mila – into the world.
And he says being a father has given him a new perspective and focus.
“I’ve got a little family to take care of now – it’s very new to me at the moment but I’m getting used to it,” he said.
“I’m comfortable with it now.
“You get a new focus and purpose in life when you have a child to provide for and I want my family to be proud of me.
“That’s me doing my best at the moment as well as putting my best foot forward for the team.
“Sam gave us three days off after the Hull KR win, which the boys really appreciated and I think we deserved it too.
“KR is a tough place to go but looking back at the game and seeing some of the GPS stats that came from it, it was our toughest game of the year.
“It was good to have a few days off and spend some time with the family, but we’re back to it now to get ready for London.”
Another new thing that Thewlis is getting used to is being handed the goal kicking responsibilities when Stefan Ratchford is not on the field.
The club captain was successful with his last 33 efforts on goal – six shy of equaling Leeds’ Rhyse Martin’s Super League record – and his 96 goals in 2023 finished as the competition’s top scorer.
They were always going to be tough boots to fill, Thewlis landing seven of his 12 goal kicks this season and just one in three at Craven Park before handing over to Hayes, who missed both attempts .
Thewlis has kicked seven goals from 12 attempts this year (Image: PA)
Thewlis has been a promising back-rower in recent years and admits he has been “kicking” about letting the skill fade in recent years.
However, he is confident that he will find his range as a result of picking Ratchford’s brains.
“I’ve let it go a bit over the last couple of seasons, which I’m kicking myself about,” he said.
“I’ve been working really closely with Stef to try and get my goal kicking going and I’m getting back into that flow. I’ve been working on it through pre-season and I think it will come.
“I’m not happy with what I’m doing kicking wise at the moment, especially in the Hull KR game, but I’ll keep working hard on it.
“Stef is one of the best and he’s chasing that record right now, so I’m trying to take as much as I can from him and pick things up almost every session.”
