Bevan French proved to be the headline act on his return, guiding the Wigan Warriors to a decisive 38‑16 victory over St Helens in Friday night’s Super League derby, further deepening the Saints' current turmoil. The match unfolded against a backdrop of upheaval for St Helens, who entered the contest still reeling from the abrupt departure of head coach Paul Rowley the previous day.
Despite the off‑field distraction, the Saints began the encounter on a promising note, seizing the lead twice within the first fifteen minutes thanks to tries from Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas. French, however, answered each Saint’s effort with his own contribution, crossing for a try between the two scores and then orchestrating two more for teammate Zach Eckersley before the break.
The first of those was set up by a deft cut‑out pass that sliced through the defense, while the second came from a perfectly timed kick‑pass that left the opposition scrambling. The Saints appeared to be on the verge of a comeback when a potential equaliser was disallowed after a video referee review. The replay showed Jake Wardle’s remarkable defensive effort, which prevented Harry Robertson from grounding the ball, thereby nullifying the try. As the second half commenced, Wigan switched into a higher gear.
Oliver Partington found the try‑line twice, and in‑form Adam Keighran added his own score, each assisted by French, who notched two further assists. Harry Smith also delivered a spectacular kick‑pass that set up Partington’s second try. The only consolation for St Helens came from a late Lewis Murphy try, but the result left them still outside the playoff positions and under mounting pressure. Following the match, Saints’ centre Jack Welsby spoke to Sky Sports, expressing his disappointment.
He acknowledged that the team had been competitive at halftime but faltered after the break, citing the shock of Rowley's exit as a factor that the squad had tried to manage through an impromptu training session and a captain’s run. Welsby admitted that many players felt “gutted and embarrassed” for letting the coach down and stressed the need for a stronger bond within the group if they hoped to reach the playoffs.
He also reflected on the irony that a better performance, akin to Wigan’s, might have saved Rowley’s job. Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll also addressed the media, noting his pride in the players’ resilience despite the turbulent week.
He emphasized the importance of building the season “game‑by‑game” and focusing on preparation, recovery, and maintaining a collective mindset. O'Carroll highlighted the need to manage injuries and give every player the chance to perform at their best, underscoring that the immediate priority was to concentrate on the upcoming fixtures, particularly the match against York. Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet shared his thoughts with Sky Sports, describing the win as a “pleasant surprise” against their fiercest rivals.
He admitted that while the performance had its flaws—such as moments when the team failed to respect the ball and allowed play to become loose—the overall result demonstrated how far the squad had progressed. Peet stressed that the club’s standards and processes remain a work in progress and that the players themselves would drive the necessary improvements. He reiterated the importance of hard training and accountability, noting that any perceived looseness would be addressed by the players rather than by the coaching staff. Bevan French, named player of the match, expressed gratitude for the experience.
He spoke about staying positive during his time away from the field and appreciated the opportunity to perform against a historic rival. French praised the young talent emerging within the club, noting that the youth pipeline is a source of pride and optimism for the future.
He acknowledged that the season would inevitably involve setbacks but affirmed the team’s determination to keep moving forward. In a separate fixture, Wakefield Trinity, fielding a 12‑player side, delivered a dominant performance against Castleford Tigers, scoring nine tries in a 52‑14 demolition. The match, played at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, saw Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each record a double, contributing to Wakefield’s sixth consecutive Super League win. Despite an early setback when Matty Storton was sent off, the Trinity side surged ahead within 45 seconds of kickoff, with Johnstone drawing a defender before passing to Storton for the opening try, followed by a successful conversion from Max Jowitt.
Even with the numerical disadvantage, Wakefield continued to press, turning the game into a showcase of attacking flair that propelled them to second place in the league standings, overtaking Wigan on points difference. The victory highlighted the depth and resilience of the squad, as well as the tactical acumen of their coaching staff, who managed to adapt quickly to the reduced numbers and still execute a high‑scoring game plan. Both matches underscore the unpredictable nature of the Super League this season. While Wigan’s triumph reinforces their status as a formidable contender, St Helens must regroup and address both on‑field performance and off‑field stability if they hope to re‑enter the playoff conversation.
Meanwhile, Wakefield’s emphatic win demonstrates that even with a depleted roster, strategic execution and youthful energy can produce overwhelming results. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League game live throughout the season, offering fans comprehensive coverage of all the action, including exclusive live matches each round and additional fixtures on Sky Sports+.