Jack Farrimond is making a schoolboy’s dream come true by becoming a Wigan star

JACK Farrimond is living the dream after a dress-up session at school turned into a prophecy.

The young Wigan half-back has made a huge impression since breaking into the Warriors’ first team.

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And he revealed how he always knew he would be a rugby league player, even as a primary school pupil.

Farrimond said: “We dressed like what you want to be when you grow up” at school and went in a rugby kit.

“Everyone looked at me funny and said, ‘It’s not a job.’ But look where I am now.

“As soon as I started playing rugby I really enjoyed it and as soon as I found out people were getting paid to do it I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’

Farrimond’s last two appearances were against his home side Leigh and the St Helens derby.

But the 18-year-old showed his talent by excelling at both, silencing a few friends and even family members – especially against the Leopards.

However, life in the first team did not change him.

“My family are from Leigh and they are Leigh supporters,” he added. “A lot of friends I grew up with are too.

“They all gave me a bit of stick before and after the game, but it was really nice.

“A few of my family members joined, like my younger brother, but it was nothing bad. My friends sent me videos of me on the field!

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“Apart from training more often, I’m still the same as when I was playing for the academy and reserves last year.

“I still live with my mum and dad. My father is the cook if he is home after work. If both my parents are, it’s definitely Dad who cooks.

“But I still pinch myself a little. This came up pretty quickly, but it’s just the beginning. I’m still going to keep my head down and keep working.”

Farrimond may be a teenager himself, but he helps coach his younger brother’s under-10s – and while the settings may be different, such as the MKM Stadium for today’s trip to Hull FC – some things are the same as was Twist Lane, the home of Leigh Miners Rangers.

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He said: “I still like to play the way I like to play. I’m not changing my game.

“But then I have to be a bit more serious when I’m playing in Super League in front of 15-20,000 people rather than on a cold, rainy Sunday morning in front of four or five mums and dads.

“It’s a bigger occasion and the nerves will be there for a long time to come. Every week is a challenge and to be on the same field with Leigh’s stars who have NRL experience and St Helens’ Jack Welsby and Daryl Clark who have international experience is great.

“You have to respect them but not give them too much respect and let them do what they want to do.”