Bevan French returned to the Super League spotlight in spectacular fashion, guiding the Wigan Warriors to a commanding 38‑16 victory over their arch‑rivals St Helens on Friday night. The win not only widened the gap between the two clubs but also added fresh pressure to a Saints side already reeling from the abrupt departure of head coach Paul Rowley earlier in the week. The derby began with St Helens showing early promise. Within the first fifteen minutes the home side surged ahead twice, first through a well‑timed effort by Jack Welsby and then via a try from Jacob Douglas.
Those scores suggested a tightly contested encounter, but Wigan quickly answered. French, who had found the try‑line between the two Saints scores, demonstrated his dual threat by setting up two more tries for Zach Eckersley before the interval. The first of those came after a deft cut‑out pass that sliced through the defense, while the second was the result of a brilliant kick‑pass that left the St Helens back‑line scrambling. Just before the break, Saints appeared to be on the verge of pulling level when a potential equalising try was reviewed by the video referee.
The replay showed Jake Wardle’s textbook defensive effort, denying Harry Robertson the chance to ground the ball. The decision stood, and Wigan entered the locker room with a 22‑10 advantage. The second half saw the Warriors unleash a relentless onslaught. Oliver Partington crossed the line twice, and in‑form Adam Keighran added his own try, each of them set up by French, who recorded two more assists.
Harry Smith contributed a spectacular kick‑pass that set up Partington’s second try, further highlighting Wigan’s fluid attacking play. Saints managed a consolation score through Lewis Murphy, but the damage was already done.
The loss left St Helens outside the playoff places and deepening the crisis that has engulfed the club. In the post‑match interview, Saints’ Jack Welsby expressed his disappointment to Sky Sports.
He acknowledged that the team had been competitive at halftime but faltered after the interval. "We were right in the game at half‑time, but we just didn’t start well in the second half," Welsby said. He added that the sudden news of Paul Rowley’s exit had thrown the squad off balance. "We found out yesterday, did a training session and a captain’s run.
The senior lads stepped up, the younger ones followed without hesitation. It’s tough news – many of us feel gutted and embarrassed because we let him down," he admitted.
Welsby stressed the need for unity moving forward, noting that the group must strengthen its bond if it hopes to reach the playoffs. Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll also addressed the media, emphasizing his pride in the players’ resilience. "I’m proud – almost speechless.
I asked the boys to stick together all week, to give us effort and intent. They delivered in bucketloads," he said. O'Carroll highlighted the importance of a game‑by‑game approach, focusing on preparation and recovery.
"We have a few busted bodies, so we need to get them right and give the lads every chance to perform at their best. My job is to keep us focused on the here and now and worry about the process," he explained, before looking ahead to the upcoming match against York. Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet praised his side’s performance while acknowledging areas for improvement.
"I’m pleased with the win against our greatest rivals. There are elements 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 said.
He noted moments when the Warriors lost respect for the ball, allowing it to become loose, and praised St Helens for their desperation at times. Peet reiterated his commitment to higher standards, saying, "We have to practice hard. The lads will see the results when they get back on the training field. There was a looseness in the game – I’m not sure why, but it won’t be me driving that; the players will want to improve." Player of the match Bevan French reflected on his performance with gratitude.
"It was great! I just felt a sense of appreciation. It’s been a good year off the field, and I’ve tried to stay positive.
I enjoyed the week leading up to the game and was lucky it was against St Helens," French told Sky Sports. He praised the youth coming through the ranks, noting how the young players stepped up and how the club’s culture fosters growth.
"We’re striving to be better every day, every year. We’ll have hiccups, we’ve had plenty this season, but we’re still here," he concluded. In a separate fixture, Wakefield Trinity delivered a masterclass against Castleford Tigers, despite being reduced to twelve men early in the match.
Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each recorded double‑tries as the Trinity side amassed nine tries in total, cruising to a 52‑14 victory at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. The match began with Wakefield taking an early lead within 45 seconds when Johnstone exploited space on the left, drew his defender, and fed Matty Storton for the opening try, which was followed by a successful conversion from Max Jowitt.
The Tigers were dealt a further blow when Storton received a red card, leaving them a man short. Nevertheless, Wakefield’s momentum did not falter. The Trinity side turned the adversity into motivation, executing an expansive, high‑tempo style that overwhelmed Castleford’s defense. Their relentless attack propelled them to second place in the Super League standings, overtaking Wigan on points difference.
Both matches underscore the volatile nature of the Super League this season. While Wigan’s triumph adds a fresh chapter to their rivalry with Saints, Wakefield’s dominant display highlights the depth of talent across the competition. As teams continue to navigate coaching changes, injuries, and disciplinary setbacks, the race for the playoffs remains wide open, promising further drama and excitement for supporters of rugby league across the United Kingdom.