Warrington Wolves captain George Williams is set to undergo neck surgery and may have already played his final game for the club, head coach Sam Burgess has confirmed. Williams, who joined Warrington in 2021 and is in the final year of his contract, is already confirmed to return to the NRL in 2027 and is widely expected to join the Dolphins. The injury occurred during Warrington’s recent defeat by Catalans Dragons in France.
Burgess told Sky Sports ahead of Warrington’s 23-6 win over Wigan that Williams will have surgery within the next fortnight. He cautioned that the neck issue is sensitive and recovery timelines vary considerably — from roughly three to four months in some cases up to around 12 months in others. Burgess pointed to Alex Walmsley as an example of a player who took about a year to return after a similar operation, although Walmsley sustained more extensive damage.
“It is quite a sensitive issue with his neck. We are mindful of that and are not going to rush anything. He will need surgery,” Burgess said, emphasising the club’s focus on Williams’s long-term health. He added that while you should “never say never” about Williams playing again for Warrington, time will tell whether he appears in a primrose and blue shirt again this season. With just over five months remaining in the Super League campaign, his availability for the rest of the year is uncertain.
The injury also creates an early dilemma for England’s newly appointed head coach Brian McDermott. In his first interview McDermott said he intends to keep Williams as captain, praising his leadership and performance, but a prolonged recovery could force selection decisions ahead of the Rugby League World Cup in Australia starting in October.
Key 2026 Super League dates and broadcast notes:
– Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6 — Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6.30pm UK (Sky Sports)
– Magic Weekend: July 4–5
– Rivals Round reversed: July 23–26
– Elimination Play-offs: September 19–20
– Play-off semi-finals: September 26–27
– Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford
Sky Sports will again show every Super League game live this season, featuring two exclusive live matches each round and the remaining fixtures available via Sky Sports+.