Bevan French emerged as the headline act on his return to the Wigan Warriors side, guiding the club to a commanding 38‑16 victory over rivals St Helens in Friday night’s Super League derby. The result deepened the Saints’ crisis, which had already been shaken by the abrupt departure of head coach Paul Rowley just days earlier. St Helens entered the match with a heavy cloud hanging over them after the shocking announcement on Thursday that Rowley had left the club with immediate effect.
Despite the distraction, the Saints managed a bright start, taking the lead twice in the opening fifteen minutes. Jack Welsby crossed for the first try, only for Jacob Douglas to equalise shortly afterwards.
Between those two scores, French found the try‑line for Wigan, reminding everyone why his return was so highly anticipated. French’s influence did not stop at his own try. The Australian playmaker orchestrated two more scoring opportunities for winger Zach Eckersley before the halftime whistle. The first came from a cleverly timed cut‑out pass that left Eckersley with space on the edge, while the second was the product of a dazzling kick‑pass that sliced through the Saints’ defence.
By the break, Wigan had turned a modest lead into a comfortable advantage. The Saints thought they might claw back into the contest when a potential equaliser was reviewed by the Video Referee in the final moments of the first half. Replays showed Jake Wardle’s defensive effort had prevented Harry Robertson from grounding the ball, and the try was disallowed.
The decision left St Helens frustrated but did not deter Wigan from extending their lead after the interval. In the second half, Wigan’s momentum accelerated.
Oliver Partington scored twice, exploiting gaps created by French’s incisive passing. French added two more assists, including a spectacular kick‑pass from Harry Smith that set up Partington’s second try. Adam Keighran, who has been in fine form all season, also crossed the line, further widening the gap. The Saints managed a consolation try through Lewis Murphy, but the damage was already done; they remained outside the playoff positions and faced mounting pressure from supporters and the board.
After the match, Saints captain Jack Welsby spoke to Sky Sports about the disappointment. "We were right in the game at half‑time," he said, "but we didn’t start the second half well. With everything happening off the field, we tried to stay proud of our effort, yet we know this is a game we should have won.
The margin of defeat in a derby against Wigan makes the feeling of disappointment even stronger." Welsby also addressed the Rowley saga, noting that the team had learned of the coach’s exit just a day before the match and had to scramble through a training session and a captain’s run. "The senior players stepped up, the younger lads didn’t need an invitation to follow," he added, describing the atmosphere as "gutted and embarrassed" because they felt they had let the coach down.
He warned that unless the squad can improve dramatically, their playoff hopes will remain in doubt. Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll, also speaking to Sky Sports, expressed pride in his players despite the loss. "I’m a little lost for words, but I asked the boys to stick together all week and give us effort and intent.
They delivered in bucketloads," he said. O'Carroll emphasized that the focus now must shift to rebuilding, noting that the team will need to take a game‑by‑game approach and manage the injuries that have left several players "busted". He stressed the importance of preparation and the need to concentrate on the process rather than the outcome, especially as the next challenge looms against York.
Wigan head coach Matt Peet reflected on his side’s performance, admitting there were aspects that could be refined. "I’m pleased with the win against our greatest rivals," he told Sky Sports, "but there are elements of our game that could be better. At times we didn’t respect the ball and it got a little loose. St Helens were desperate at certain points, which is a credit to them, but we still walked away with two points." Peet highlighted the club’s standards and processes, acknowledging that some moments in the match were not acceptable.
He insisted that the players themselves would drive improvement, saying, "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 and we’ll practice hard to tighten things up." Player of the match Bevan French shared his gratitude after the game. "It was great!
I felt a sense of appreciation," he said. French spoke about his time away from the field earlier in the season and how he tried to stay positive. He praised the young talent coming through the ranks, noting that the youth’s contribution was a key factor in Wigan’s success. "We’re blessed with the youth that’s coming through.
It’s great to be part of a club where everyone is growing and becoming the players they want to be," French added. He concluded with a realistic outlook, acknowledging that the team will face hiccups but will continue to strive for improvement each day. The second part of the report turned to the Wakefield Trinity vs. Castleford Tigers fixture, another derby that produced a spectacular display of attacking rugby.
Wakefield fielded a 12‑player side yet still managed to score nine tries, demolishing their West Yorkshire rivals 52‑14 and securing a sixth consecutive Super League win. The match began dramatically, with Wakefield taking the lead inside the first minute.
Tom 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. Shortly after, Storton was sent off, leaving Wakefield with twelve men, but the team did not lose composure.
Instead, the Trinity side turned up the intensity, with Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each scoring two tries. Their fluid backline movement, combined with crisp passing and a high‑tempo defensive line, overwhelmed Castleford. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Wakefield’s forward pack continued to dominate the ruck area, providing a platform for the backs to unleash their creativity.
Castleford struggled to find any rhythm, often forced into defensive errors that Wakefield capitalised on. The Tigers managed only two scores, both coming late in the game when the result was already beyond doubt. Wakefield’s relentless pressure and clinical finishing saw them finish the match with a 52‑14 victory, moving them up to second place in the league table, ahead of Wigan on points difference.
Both derbies highlighted the emotional and tactical volatility that defines the Super League. While Wigan celebrated a hard‑earned win that reinforced their status as title contenders, St Helens were left to regroup under an interim coach, confronting the reality of a season that now looks increasingly uncertain. Meanwhile, Wakefield’s performance proved that even a depleted side can dominate when discipline, execution, and belief align perfectly.
Looking ahead, the league will continue to showcase such high‑stakes encounters. Sky Sports has confirmed that every Super League match will be broadcast live this season, with two fixtures per round shown exclusively on the main channel and the remaining five available on Sky Sports+.
Fans can therefore expect more thrilling derbies, dramatic coaching storylines, and the ever‑present chase for playoff positions as the season progresses.