Bevan French emerged as the standout performer on his comeback for the Wigan Warriors, who ultimately dismantled St Helens 38-16 in Friday's Super League clash, further deepening the Saints' ongoing turmoil. The Saints entered the derby still reeling from the shocking announcement on Thursday that head coach Paul Rowley had been dismissed with immediate effect.
Despite the off‑field distraction, St Helens began the match 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 interval and setting up two further tries for teammate Zach Eckersley with a slick cut‑out pass and a brilliant kick‑pass.
A potential equaliser for the Saints was disallowed after the video referee confirmed that Jake Wardle's defensive effort prevented Harry Robertson from grounding the ball in the final moments of the first half. The second half saw Wigan accelerate their on‑field tempo. Oliver Partington ticked off two tries, and in‑form Adam Keighran added another, while French contributed two more assists, one of which came from a dazzling kick‑pass from Harry Smith that set up Partington's second score. The only consolation for St Helens arrived when Lewis Murphy crossed for a try, but the result left the Saints outside the playoff places and under mounting pressure from supporters and the club hierarchy.
After the match, Saints captain Jack Welsby spoke to Sky Sports, expressing his disappointment. He noted that the team had been competitive at the break but failed to start the second half strongly.
"We were right in the game at half‑time," he said, "but we didn't start well after the interval. With everything happening around us, we can be proud of the effort, but ultimately this is a game we expected to win. Losing by such a margin in a Wigan‑St Helens derby is a real let‑down." Welsby also reflected on the abrupt departure of Paul Rowley, explaining that the squad had learned of the decision only a day before the match, prompting an impromptu training session and a captain's run.
"The senior players stepped up and the younger lads followed without needing an invitation," he added, describing the situation as "gutted and embarrassed" because they felt they had let the coach down. He stressed the need for the group to rally together if they hope to reach the playoffs, emphasizing that the squad's cohesion, built over the season, must now be stronger than ever. Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll also addressed the media, saying he was proud of his players despite the defeat.
He praised their effort and intent, noting that the team gave everything "in bucketloads" and that the experience could actually place them in a stronger position moving forward. O'Carroll highlighted the importance of building the season game by game and focusing on preparation, injury management, and maintaining a clear focus on the present rather than future outcomes. He warned that the next challenge would be to show up properly against York, underscoring the need for disciplined preparation. Wigan head coach Matt Peet shared his thoughts with Sky Sports, expressing satisfaction with the win over their fiercest rivals.
He acknowledged that there were aspects of the performance that could be improved, such as moments when the team failed to respect the ball and allowed play to become loose. Peet gave credit to St Helens for their resilience at times, calling their effort a "credit to them". He reiterated the importance of adhering to the Warriors' processes, standards, and playing style, insisting that any shortcomings would be addressed in training and that the players themselves would drive the improvement.
Player of the match Bevan French reflected on his performance, describing it as a "great" experience and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute after a period away from the field. He spoke about maintaining a positive mindset during his time off and enjoying the chance to play against St Helens. French also praised the younger members of the squad, noting that the club is fortunate to have a pipeline of emerging talent and that watching these players develop is a privilege.
He concluded by emphasizing the team's commitment to continual improvement, acknowledging that setbacks are inevitable but that the Warriors remain resilient. In a separate fixture, Wakefield Trinity delivered a dominant display against Castleford, with Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each scoring double tries as the 12‑player side amassed nine tries to win 52-14. The match, held at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, saw Wakefield surge ahead within the first minute of play when Johnstone exploited space on the left, drew his defender, and passed to Matty Storton, who crossed for the opening score. Despite an early setback when Storton was sent off, the Trinity side never faltered, instead launching an attacking onslaught that propelled them to a sixth consecutive Super League victory and lifted them to second place in the league table, ahead of Wigan on points difference.
The game highlighted Wakefield's depth and resilience, proving that even with a man down they could execute a high‑tempo, try‑rich strategy. Max Jowitt added the conversion for the opening try, and the team continued to press, turning potential adversity into a statement win that reinforced their status as serious contenders.
Sky Sports confirmed that it will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season, offering exclusive coverage of two fixtures each round and airing the remaining five matches weekly on its platform.