In 2016, Ethan Havard joined the Wigan Warriors Scholarship system and has since remained at the club.

After a premiership-winning campaign with Wigan’s under 19’s side in 2018, Havard was rewarded with his Super League debut in July last year, where the Warriors would defeat Wakefield Trinity 46-16.

Since then he has become a regular member of Wigan’s first team and earlier this week re-signed with the Warriors until the end of 2022, with a player option for 2023.

”There were a few clubs interested, but I chose to stay at Wigan because I think it’s ultimately the best place for my development.” Havard told Everything Rugby League

Earlier this year reports stated that representatives from the Melbourne Storm had met with Havard’s family in a bid to sign the prop, with multiple other clubs suspected to be interested.

By re-signing with Wigan and staying in the Super League, Havard does not have to deal with the pressures of making a move and trying to develop a relationship with athletes he has never played with before and therefore can continue to grow as a player in the same environment as he has for the past four years.

Considering Havard will only just be turning 20 in October, he will have plenty of opportunities to impress NRL clubs down the line, and instead of joining an Australian side as a promising talent who would likely start in a developmental role now, he could move to a team further down the track as a fully-fledged first grader and warrant a decent wage.

Now that Havard has put pen to paper, the Warriors will likely move him into a permanent starting role in 2021 alongside George Burgess who is also under contract until the end of 2022.

In terms of a personal goal for Havard during this time period, the 19-year-old will likely be looking at earning himself a spot in the England squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.