New Wigan deals for Wane and O'Loughlin

Wigan coach Shaun Wane and captain Sean O’Loughlin have both signed new three-year contracts with the club.

The news was revealed to the players ahead of Saturday’s Super League Grand Final against St Helens at Old Trafford and provides the Warriors with a major boost as they look to retain the title.

Wane, 50, played for Wigan between 1981 and 1990 and was appointed head coach for 2012, when he guided the Warriors to the League Leaders' Shield in his first season in charge.

He then landed the double in 2013 as Wigan won the Super League Grand Final and the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and he has enjoyed further success this term.

Wane told the club's official website: "I am really pleased to sign an extension to my present contract with my hometown club. I am very happy here, working with a group of people whose desire to win and improve completely matches mine.

"There is still a lot I want to achieve at Wigan and I will always be totally committed to achieving those goals."

England international forward O'Loughlin, 31, made his debut for Wigan in April 2002 and has since gone on to make 342 appearances for the Cherry and Whites.

He has been a member of the Super League Dream Team for the last five years and was recently named England captain.

O'Loughlin said: "I am delighted to have extended my stay with Wigan. The club has been my life. I have been through some tough times but it has all been worth it to experience the great times that the club is now enjoying.

"I love working with this group of players and coaching staff and I am confident that the club will continue to grow and improve.

"I still have a lot of personal ambition and I am as hungry as ever to win more trophies with this great club, before moving on to my agreed coaching position at Wigan."

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said: "The contract extensions of Shaun and Sean are very important to the Wigan club. It is very symbolic that we have jointly announced these deals as it is very evident that they work very well together.

"There is a lot of trust between them and we couldn't have two more committed people in the key positions of head coach and captain of Wigan."