Bevan French once again proved why he is considered a marquee player when he returned to the Wigan Warriors’ side and helped them dismantle St Helens 38‑16 on Friday night in a Super League derby. The victory not only added another win to Wigan’s campaign but also intensified the turmoil surrounding the Saints, who are still reeling from the abrupt departure of head coach Paul Rowley earlier in the week. St Helens entered the match on a shaky emotional footing after learning that Rowley had left the club with immediate effect.
Despite the off‑field drama, the Saints started the game positively, taking the lead twice in the opening fifteen minutes. Jack Welsby crossed for the first try, and Jacob Douglas followed with another, giving the home side a brief edge.
In the middle of those two scores, French found the try‑line for Wigan, signalling that the visitors were not going to be mere spectators. Before the halftime whistle, French was directly involved in two more scores for the Warriors. He delivered a cleverly timed cut‑out pass that set up Zach Eckersley for a try, and then he executed a brilliant kick‑pass that saw Eckersley score again, putting Wigan ahead at the break.
The Saints thought they might level the scores when Harry Robertson appeared to ground the ball in the final moments of the first half, but a Video Referee review showed that Jake Wardle’s defensive effort prevented the grounding, and the try was disallowed. The second half saw Wigan unleash a relentless offensive onslaught. Oliver Partington struck twice, and in‑form Adam Keighran added a try of his own, with French providing two more assists. One of those assists was a spectacular kick‑pass from Harry Smith that set up Partington’s second try.
The Warriors’ fluid attacking play left St Helens struggling to find answers. The only consolation for the home side came late in the game when Lewis Murphy crossed for a try, but it was insufficient to change the outcome. The loss leaves St Helens outside the playoff positions and under mounting pressure to turn their season around. Jack Welsby, speaking to Sky Sports after the match, expressed his disappointment.
He said, "We were right in the game at half‑time, but we didn’t start well in the second half. With everything going on, we can be proud of our effort, but ultimately this is a game we came to win. The margin of defeat in a Saints versus Wigan derby is disheartening." He added that the squad had tried to react to the news of Rowley’s exit as best they could, noting that the senior players stepped up while the younger members needed no prompting to follow suit.
Welsby admitted the team felt embarrassed and let the coach down, emphasizing the need for a stronger bond if they hope to reach the playoffs. Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll also addressed the media, expressing pride in his players despite the loss. He said, "I’m proud. I’m a little lost for words.
I asked the boys 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 how they handled this week, and although it sounds daft, I think we’re in a strong position now." O'Carroll stressed the importance of building the season game by game, focusing on preparation, recovery from injuries, and maintaining a clear focus on the present rather than the future. Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet shared his thoughts with Sky Sports, acknowledging both the quality of the win and areas for improvement.
He said, "I’m pleased with the win against our greatest rivals. There are elements of our performance 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 be better." Peet noted that at times the Warriors were a bit lax with the ball, allowing St Helens moments of desperation, but ultimately the Warriors walked away with two points. He highlighted the need for higher standards, tighter processes, and relentless practice to eliminate any looseness in future matches.
Player of the match Bevan French reflected on his performance, saying, "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 was just enjoying the week leading up to it, and it was lucky it was against St Helens. I’m appreciative." French also praised the youth in the squad, noting that young players stepped up and that the club is blessed with emerging talent.
He emphasized the club’s commitment to continual improvement, acknowledging that hiccups are inevitable but the team remains resilient. In a separate fixture, Wakefield Trinity delivered a dominant display against Castleford Tigers, despite being reduced to twelve men early in the match. Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each scored two tries as Wakefield ran in nine tries overall, ultimately crushing Castleford 52‑14.
The game took place at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, where Wakefield initially trailed 10‑6 after Matty Storton’s early dismissal. However, the home side quickly regained composure, with Johnstone exploiting space on the left and feeding Storton for an early try, followed by a conversion from Max Jowitt. Even with a player sent off, Wakefield never looked threatened. The team’s attacking flair and defensive solidity allowed them to dominate the remainder of the match, moving them into second place in the league standings, ahead of Wigan on points difference.
The victory marked Wakefield’s sixth consecutive Super League win, underscoring their growing momentum. Both matches illustrate the shifting dynamics within the Super League as teams contend with coaching changes, injuries, and disciplinary setbacks. While Wigan capitalised on a turbulent Saints side to secure a convincing derby win, Wakefield demonstrated resilience and depth by overcoming a numerical disadvantage to deliver a rout.
Fans can look forward to more high‑stakes encounters as the season progresses, with Sky Sports continuing to broadcast every game live, offering exclusive coverage of two matches each round and additional fixtures across the Sky Sports+ platform.