JOE Bullock does not expect much to have changed at Wigan Warriors since being there as a junior, particularly when it comes to the club’s winning mentality.

The departing Barrow Raiders prop was watching closely as his new team-mates defeated Warrington Wolves 12-4 in last Saturday’s Super League Grand Final.

That added to the Cherry & Whites’ trophy-laden history and with Wigan icons Adrian Lam and, from 2020, Shaun Edwards taking over on the coaching side that is unlikely to change.

“The club has always had the same kind of philosophy that you’ve got to be a tough rugby player, but you’ve also got to put the hard work and that grit in during pre-season to have a good season,” said Bullock. “That’s why Wigan are successful, because they might not be the flashiest team, but they’re a hard side.

“A lot of players who’ve played first-grade there and gone off to other clubs I’ve spoken to have said how much they value being a Wigan player and getting that experience of being successful first-team players.

“The new coach will want to put his own things down, but I don’t think that heart of the club will ever change, and that’s something I’ll have to be a part of and buy into.”

Bullock cannot wait to get going after his time at Barrow was ended prematurely by a broken jaw, although he was delighted to see his team-mates retain their Betfred Championship status.

“Having an injury like that and finishing the way I did wasn’t the best, but we got the results we needed in the end,” said Bullock.

“The last game I played in was a massive win at home (against Rochdale Hornets) which gave us that buffer to have a bit of confidence we could go and win those last few games.”