WIGAN’S Liam Farrell has revealed how a chat with his cousin Andy Farrell inspired his sensational start to his Super League career.
The young second row has burst onto the first-team scene, grabbing two tries in last Friday’s defeat against Harlequins.
Liam hopes to keep his starting place for tomorrow’s clash with Huddersfield at the Murrayfield Magic in Edinburgh.
The 20-year-old met Andy during pre-season – and the Wigan legend urged him to take his chance under new coach Michael Maguire.
“Andy came to the training ground and just told me to focus on my rugby,” said Liam, Andy’s second cousin and Wigan reserves’ player of the year after grabbing 18 tries in 17 games last season.
“He said with a new coach there would be opportunities and I had the chance push on.”
Liam added: “Andy’s my dad’s cousin and I see him now and again at family dos. Growing up I always looked up to him. He was a brilliant player and was captain of his club and country. If I can be half the player he was then I’d be delighted.”
It certainly looks like the talent runs in the Farrell family. Liam’s younger brother, Connor, is also at the club and is also related to Sean O’Loughlin, who is the brother-in-law of Andy.
“There are few of us and the three Tomkins brothers – Joel, Sam and Logan – at the club, so it’s pretty unusual,” said Liam.
“The new coach said to all the younger players at the start of the season that we would get a chance if we were good enough.
“With the injuries we’ve had, that’s happened, and it’s just up to me to keep performing and doing well.”
Maguire has been forced to give youth a chance after missing seven key players through injury against Quins.
Andy Coley will definitely be back against Huddersfield but the Wigan coach is waiting on the fitness of Thomas Leuluai, Martin Gleeson, Paul Deacon and Darrell Goulding.
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