Warrington Wolves: Tony Smith says club still has leaders

“Some of the older and some of the younger boys coming through are doing well in their leadership roles.”

Morley joined his hometown club of Salford, Hodgson was released and Carvell signed for Bradford, while the club also lost Mike Cooper to NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons.

However, Smith has recruited former New Zealand captain Roy Asotasi from South Sydney Rabbitohs, Featherstone forward Anthony England, Scotland full-back Matty Russell – of whom Smith said “outside the top two or three teams, was the stand-out player in the World Cup” – and winger Kevin Penny has rejoined.

The former Great Britain coach, whose team lost the 2013 Super League Grand Final to Wigan, feels the signings they have made will improve the strength of the Wolves.

“We are bringing in an experienced player in Roy Asotasi who has captained his country and club, won finals and been highly successful,” he said.

“Matty fitted our bill well before the World Cup started and we found out he was feeling a little homesick in Australia. I admired him before he went over there, I thought he was a terrific player then.

“Kevin has had to earn a living in a different way, it came too early and too quickly for him last time. I don’t think he understood what it meant to be a professional sportsman. He does now.”