Scotland international Matthew Russell looks set to become Warrington’s first-choice sweeper in 2014 after it was announced he was handed the club’s number one jersey.
When Hodgson, nearly 36, was released from his Wolves contract, many anticipated the versatile Stefan Ratchford to slot in at full-back.
However, the retirement of Lee Briers allowed the 25-year-old to take over at stand-off and form a potentially mouth-watering partnership with Richie Myler.
Russell has impressed highly in his debut World Cup campaign for Scotland, scoring four tries in his first three appearances. The 20-year-old, born in Irvine, north Ayrshire, spent 2012 in the junior ranks at Wigan and Hull before joining the Gold Coast Titans in Australia.
The youngster is one of two Warrington signings that made it into the first 13. Samoan prop Roy Asotasi goes straight in at number 10, lining up in the first-choice front-row alongside England star Chris Hill, who moves from number 18 to eight following the departure of Adrian Morley.
The 2014 Warrington Wolves Squad Numbers:
1 Matthew Russell
2 Chris Riley
3 Chris Bridge
4 Ryan Atkins
5 Joel Monaghan
6 Stefan Ratchford
7 Richie Myler
8 Chris Hill
9 Micky Higham
10 Roy Asotasi
11 Trent Waterhouse
12 Ben Westwood
13 Simon Grix
Selected others: 14 Michael Monaghan,16 Paul Wood, 18 Rhys Evans, 19 Anthony England, 20 Gareth O’Brien
