wigan warriors

Christmas has come early for the 30-year-old scrum-half in the form of a dream move from Bradford to hometown team Wigan Warriors. Deacon was born and bred in Wigan but somehow slipped through the Warriors' net as a young, talented half-back. He ended up signing for Oldham before playing for Bradford where he enjoyed great success.  

The Halifax-born Wigan Warriors player was invited to officially open Eds in Rawson Street, Halifax. The new hairdressing and barbering salon has been set up by brother and sister team Dominic and Elly Casale. "It went really well," said Dominic.  

Right from the start, it was clear Paul Deacon was a champion. The baby-face might have fooled some and the 5ft 8in frame yet more but beneath the deceptive exterior lay a snarling, steely warrior who never knew when he was beaten. I couldn't believe it.

I felt part of the scenery there   -Paul Deacon

 

Tonight's the night! Wigan's town centre lights will be switched on this evening – and everyone is welcome to go along and join in the fun. Laura White, – star of X Factor 2008 – is the main celebrity for the switch on event between 5.30pm and 7.30pm in Market Place.  

THE draw for next season's Magic Weekend at Murrayfield, Edinburgh, has been made and Wakefield Wildcats will take on reigning Super League champions Leeds Rhinos. The games will be played over the weekend of May 1 and 2. Details of match dates and kick-off times will follow at a later date.  

Saints have drawn Hull KR in the Super League's Magic Weekend. Mick Potter side will face the Humbersider's at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on the weekend of May 1 and 2. Wigan Warriors drew Huddersfield Giants, while Grand Final winners Leeds Rhinos will play Warrington Wolves.  

The match will be staged on Saturday, February 6, and will be screened by Sky TV with a 6pm kick-off. Saints are away to Bradford Bulls the following Sunday, February 14, kick-off 3pm, and will then face their second Saturday match in three weeks when travelling to coach Mick Potter's former club, Catalans Dragons. Old rivals Wigan Warriors visit the GPW Recruitment Stadium on Good Friday, April 2 – a match which will be covered by Sky but at a kick-off time still to be arranged – while the return cla  

Salford City Reds will open their 2010 Super League campaign at Craven Park, Hull as they take on Hull Kingston Rovers in Round One of the competition. The Reds will then play their home opener against the rebranded Crusaders RL at The Willows on Friday 12 Feb 2010 (kick off at 8PM). The home Easter fixture sees the visit of last season's surprise package Huddersfield Giants on Easter Monday and a massive week is concluded with the visit of Wigan Warriors.  

Wigan Warriors' new Australian coach, Michael Maguire, has a demanding pre-season in store for the English Super League side. The Warriors' first team squad reported for training on Monday with the former Melbourne assistant at the helm after last month's announcement that he had signed a three-year contract. Their first competitive pre-season hit-out will be against fierce rivals St Helens on December 27.

We have a tough pre-season training schedule planned but we are also looking forward to getting some game action   -Michael Maguire

 

WALES came from behind before running riot against Ireland to set up an European Cup final clash with Scotland this weekend. There was little sign of such a comfortable victory when the Irish stormed into a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes. But eight unanswered tries by as many different players made it a night to remember for Iestyn Harris and his young Welsh side.