Warrington Wolves survived a major injury crisis to defeat Catalans Dragons 18-16 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, moving level on points with Leeds Rhinos at the Betfred Super League summit. The home side lost both Arron Lindop and Josh Thewlis to injuries during the match, forcing a backline reshuffle that saw 18-year-old Ewan Irwin shifted to full-back.

Irwin proved the match-winner, slotting three conversions from three attempts while producing a spectacular try-saving tackle on Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet in the closing stages. Matty Ashton opened scoring for Warrington before Zac Lipowicz and Nick Cotric put Catalans ahead, but Albert Hopoate and James Bentley restored the lead for a Wolves side desperate to bounce back from last week's heavy defeat to Leeds.

Catalans fought valiantly, with Lewis Dodd crossing late to set up a tense finish, but Irwin's defensive heroics sealed a vital victory. Head coach Sam Burgess admitted concern over Lindop's latest knee injury, describing the tackle that caused it as "very ugly." Dragons boss John Cartwright felt his team "left that one out there," criticizing their execution.

The win puts Warrington on equal footing with Leeds at the top, proving their championship credentials despite personnel issues. Irwin's emergence as a reliable goal-kicker and defender provides Burgess with unexpected depth heading into the crucial final rounds.