LIAM BYRNE is embracing the change as he settles into new surroundings for the first time in his career.
The prop spent a full decade at Wigan Warriors, joining their Academy after a period on trial and reaching the first team in 2019.
In total he played 154 times for the cherry-and-white club, contributing to two Super League and Challenge Cup titles, three League Leaders’ Shields and the World Club Challenge, which kicked off their 2024 quadruple.
Last season was arguably his most influential yet for Wigan, playing 29 games, including a career-best 24 starts, the last of them in October’s Grand Final defeat to Hull KR.
Yet before that campaign even started, Byrne had already committed to leaving The Brick Community Stadium and joining Warrington, on a two-year contract with the option for a further year’s extension.
Little did he know at the time that it wouldn’t be the only piece of significant news this year.
“There’s a lot of change going on in my life,” said seven-times capped Ireland international.
“My partner and I are expecting a baby. I think it (the transfer) has come at a nice time, everything is changing.”
It’s a particularly poignant move for the Salford-born Cadishead Rhinos junior, who revealed: “I grew up watching Warrington.
“They were my first club that I really liked. The first game I ever went to see was a Warrington game.
“They came in early last year and I just knew it was a club I wanted to play for.”
Byrne is confident that, at 26, he still has some way to go before reaching the prime of his career, and is excited to learn from one of the great modern England forwards in Wolves coach Sam Burgess.
“I feel like I’ve got a lot more to give,” he added.
“I spoke to Sam about hopefully getting some more minutes.
“On both sides of the ball, in attack and defence, I think I’ve got a lot more to improve on, and I hope to do that in my time here.”