Bevan French emerged as the standout performer on his comeback, guiding the Wigan Warriors to a commanding 38‑16 victory over St Helens in Friday's Super League derby, further aggravating the Saints' ongoing crisis. The match unfolded against a backdrop of upheaval for St Helens, who were still reeling from the abrupt departure of head coach Paul Rowley the day before. Despite the turmoil, the Saints started brightly, seizing the lead twice within the first fifteen minutes thanks to tries from Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas.
French answered each of those scores, crossing the line himself before the half‑time whistle and then orchestrating two more tries for teammate Zach Eckersley, the first arriving via a clever cut‑out pass and the second set up by an exquisite kick‑pass. A potential equaliser for the Saints was disallowed after a Video Ref review confirmed that Jake Wardle's defensive effort prevented Harry Robertson from grounding the ball in the dying moments of the first half.
The decision left Wigan with a clear advantage heading into the break. The second half saw Wigan unleash an even more relentless attack. Oliver Partington struck twice, while in‑form Adam Keighran added another score, each assisted by French, who continued to showcase his play‑making flair.
Harry Smith contributed a spectacular kick‑pass that set up Partington’s second try, further widening the gap. St Helens managed a consolation try from Lewis Murphy, but the result left them well outside the playoff positions and under mounting pressure from supporters and the club hierarchy. In post‑match interviews, Saints captain Jack Welsby expressed his disappointment to Sky Sports, noting that the team had been competitive at the break but faltered after the interval.
"We were right in the game at half‑time, but we didn’t start well in the second half," he said. He added that the sudden coaching change had unsettled the squad: "We found out yesterday, did a training session and a captain’s run. The senior players stepped up, but the younger lads needed a reminder of what’s expected.
It’s tough news to take; many of us feel gutted and embarrassed because we let him down." Welsby also reflected on the broader implications, suggesting that if the Saints had matched Wigan’s win tally, Rowley might not have been sacked. He stressed the need for unity: "We have to come together if we want to make the playoffs. The group has been together all year, but now more than ever we need a strong bond." Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll, speaking to Sky Sports, praised his players for their resilience amid the chaos.
"I’m proud, almost at a loss for words. I asked the lads to stick together all week, give us effort and intent. I can’t question any of them – they gave it in bucketloads. I’m really proud of the group for how they handled this week.
It might sound daft, but I think we’re in a strong position now," he said. O'Carroll emphasized a methodical approach moving forward: "We will build game‑by‑game.
Preparation is crucial, not just for the match day but for how we turn up each week. We have a few busted bodies, so we need to get them right and give the lads every opportunity to perform at their best. My job is to keep us focused on the here and now and worry about the process, not the outcome." Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet also shared his thoughts with Sky Sports. While pleased with the win over their arch‑rivals, he acknowledged that there were aspects of the performance that could be refined.
"There are elements that could be better, but tonight shows how far we have come as a group. It was an important win, but we know we can improve," Peet said. He noted moments when the team failed to respect the ball, leading to a degree of looseness, but expressed confidence that the players would address these issues in training: "We’ve got to practice hard. The lads will be aware of it when they see it back.
There was a looseness in the game, I’m not sure why. It won’t be me driving that, the players will want to improve." Player of the match Bevan French reflected on his performance, describing it as a gratifying experience. "It was great! I felt a sense of gratitude and appreciation.
It’s been a great year with the time I’ve had off the field, and I’ve tried to stay positive. I’ve just been enjoying it and was lucky it was against St Helens. The young boys stepped up – we’re really blessed with the youth coming through. It’s great to be part of this club, seeing everyone grow and become the players they want to be," French said.
He added that the team’s ambition is continuous improvement: "We’re striving to be better every day, every year. We’ll have hiccups along the way, we’ve had plenty this season, and we’re still here." The second half of the Super League roundup featured a dramatic display from Wakefield Trinity, who fielded only twelve players yet still managed to trounce Castleford Tigers 52‑14, scoring nine tries in the process. The match, played at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, saw Wakefield fall behind 10‑6 after an early red card for Matty Storton, but the side responded with relentless attacking flair to secure their sixth consecutive league victory.
Wakefield exploded onto the scoreboard within 45 seconds of kickoff when Tom Johnstone exploited space on the left, drew his defender, and slipped the ball to Storton, who crossed for the opening try, with Max Jowitt converting. Despite being a man down, Trinity continued to dominate, with Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each recording double‑try hauls.
Their clinical finishing and high‑tempo play propelled them to second place in the standings, overtaking Wigan on points difference. Sky Sports confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League fixture live this season, offering two exclusive live matches per round and covering the remaining five games each week on the Sky Sports+ platform. This comprehensive coverage ensures fans can follow every twist and turn of the competition, from high‑stakes derbies to surprise upsets, as the league heads toward its climax.