Bevan French emerged as the headline act on his comeback, guiding the Wigan Warriors to a decisive 38-16 victory over St Helens on Friday night in the Super League. The win added another layer of difficulty for the Saints, who are already grappling with the sudden departure of head coach Paul Rowley, announced just hours before the match. St Helens entered the derby with a flicker of optimism, having taken the lead twice in the opening fifteen minutes through tries from Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas. French, however, responded quickly, crossing the line for Wigan between the two Saints scores.
The Australian halfback then orchestrated two more tries for teammate Zach Eckersley before the interval, first by delivering a perfectly timed cut‑out pass and then by executing a brilliant kick‑pass that split the defence. The Saints thought they might equalise just before the break, but the Video Referee ruled the effort out after a replay showed Jake Wardle’s defensive effort preventing Harry Robertson from grounding the ball. The decision left the score at 20-6 in favour of the visitors at halftime.
The second half saw Wigan accelerate their attack. Oliver Partington scored twice, and in‑form Adam Keighran added another, each time benefitting from French’s vision – the playmaker notched two more assists, while Harry Smith produced a spectacular kick‑pass that set up Partington’s second try. St Helens managed a consolation score through Lewis Murphy, but the result left them well outside the playoff positions and under mounting pressure from supporters and the club hierarchy.
Jack Welsby of St Helens spoke to Sky Sports after the match, expressing his disappointment. "We were right there at the break, but we never found a rhythm in the second half. The news about Paul Rowley hit us hard, and we tried to rally, but the margin was too big for us to recover. We have to reflect on the first half, but there is a lot to improve if we want to make the playoffs," he said.
Welsby also lamented the impact of the coaching shake‑up, adding, "Our performances let him down. If we had won as many games as Wigan, he wouldn’t be in this position.
We need to look inward and rebuild the bond within the squad." Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll, also addressing Sky Sports, praised his players for their resilience. "I’m proud of how the lads stuck together this week.
They gave everything on the field, and despite the loss we are in a stronger mental place now. Our focus now is to rebuild game by game, get the injured players back, and keep the process simple – just turn up and perform," O'Carroll explained. Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet offered a measured reaction, acknowledging the significance of the win while noting areas for improvement.
"It feels good to beat our biggest rivals, but we still have loose moments. At times we didn’t respect the ball and gave St Helens chances. The win gives us two points, but we must tighten up our standards and work harder in training," he said.
Match‑day MVP Bevan French shared his gratitude with Sky Sports. "I felt a huge sense of appreciation. It’s been a tough year off the field, but staying positive helped. Playing against St Helens made it even sweeter.
The young lads stepped up, and it’s fantastic to see the next generation coming through. We keep pushing to get better each season, even when we hit bumps along the way," French commented.
In a separate fixture, Wakefield Trinity posted a stunning 52-14 victory over Castleford, despite playing most of the game with only twelve men. Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each recorded double tries as the Trinity side rattled off nine scores in total, securing their sixth straight Super League win and moving them into second place on points difference, ahead of Wigan.
The match began explosively for Wakefield. Within 45 seconds of kickoff, Johnstone exploited space on the left, drew his defender and slipped the ball to Matty Storton, who crossed for the opening try. Max Jowitt added the conversion, putting the hosts ahead 6-0. Although Storton was sent off early for a professional foul, leaving Trinity a man down, the team responded with relentless attacking flair.
Wakefield’s ability to maintain pressure despite the numerical disadvantage was evident throughout the game. Their forward pack continued to dominate the ruck, creating quick ball for the backs, while the half‑backs kept the tempo high.
This relentless approach forced Castleford into a defensive shell, leading to a cascade of errors and missed tackles. The second half saw the Trinity side unleash a flurry of tries. Johnstone added another score, and Walmsley crossed twice, each time showcasing his speed and footwork. The bench contributed with fresh legs, ensuring the tempo never dropped.
By the final whistle, Wakefield had amassed nine tries, with the young squad displaying composure beyond their years. Both matches underscore the volatile nature of this Super League season. Wigan’s triumph over a destabilised Saints highlights the importance of consistency and mental fortitude when rivals are in turmoil.
Meanwhile, Wakefield’s dominant display, even when reduced to twelve men, demonstrates the depth of talent and the effectiveness of a well‑drilled game plan. Looking ahead, St Helens must quickly stabilise their coaching situation and find a way to translate early‑half promise into full‑match performances if they hope to re‑enter the playoff race. Wigan will aim to build on their victory, tightening up the loose moments identified by Peet, while Wakefield will look to sustain their momentum as they chase a top‑four finish.
Fans can continue to follow every Super League match live on Sky Sports, with two games per round broadcast exclusively and the remaining fixtures shown throughout the week on Sky Sports+. The league’s schedule promises more high‑stakes encounters as the season progresses, with each club vying for the coveted playoff spots and the ultimate prize of a championship title.