JACK Farrimond is living the dream after a school dress-up session turned into a prophecy.
The young Wigan half back has made a huge impression since breaking into the Warriors’ first team.
And he revealed how he always knew he would be a rugby league player, even as a primary school pupil.
Farrimond said: “We had a ‘dress up as what you want to be when you grow up’ day at school and I went in a rugby kit.
“Everyone looked at me funny and said, ‘That’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 paid to do it, I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’”
Farrimond’s last two appearances have been against Leigh, where he comes from, and the derby with St Helens.
But the 18-year-old showed his talent by excelling in both, silencing a few friends and even family members – especially against the Leopards.
However, first team life has not changed him.
“My family’s from Leigh and they’re Leigh supporters,” he added. “Loads of my mates who I’ve grown up with are too.
“They were all giving me a bit of stick before that game and after it, but it was really enjoyable.
“A couple of my family joined in, like my little brother, but it was nothing too bad. My mates sent me videos of me on the pitch!
“Apart from training more often, I’m still the same as when I played for the academy and reserves last year.
“I’m still living with my mum and dad. My dad is the cook if he’s home from work in time. If both my parents are in, it’s definitely dad who cooks.
“But I’m still pinching myself a bit. This has come along quite fast but it’s just the start. I’ll still keep my head down and keep working.”
Farrimond may be a teenager himself but he is helping to coach his little brother’s under-10s team – and even though the settings may be different, like the MKM Stadium for today’s trip to Hull FC – some things are the same as if it was a Twist Lane, home of Leigh Miners Rangers.
He said: “I still like to play how I like to play. I don’t change my game.
“But then I’ve got 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 challenging and being on the same pitch as the likes of Leigh’s stars who have NRL experience and St Helens’ Jack Welsby and Daryl Clark, who’ve had international experience, is great.
“You’ve got to respect them but not give them too much respect and let them do what they want to do.”
