Bevan French stole the spotlight on his comeback as the Wigan Warriors dismantled St Helens with a convincing 38‑16 victory on Friday night in the Super League. The win added fresh pressure to a Saints side already reeling from the abrupt departure of head coach Paul Rowley earlier that week.
St Helens entered the derby with a hint of optimism, opening the match strongly and taking the lead twice within the first fifteen minutes thanks to tries from Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas. French, however, answered each of those scores, crossing the line for Wigan in the interval between the two Saints scores. The Australian full‑back then orchestrated two more tries for teammate Zach Eckersley before the halftime whistle, first by delivering a perfectly timed cut‑out pass that sliced through the defense, and later with a dazzling kick‑pass that left the opposition scrambling. The Saints thought they might have equalised as the first half drew to a close, but the Video Referee intervened after a review showed that Jake Wardle’s exceptional defensive effort prevented Harry Robertson from grounding the ball.
The decision nullified the potential try and left St Helens trailing at the break. The second half belonged to Wigan.
Oliver Partington exploded onto the scoreboard twice, while in‑form Adam Keighran added his own try, each assisted by French, who continued to showcase his play‑making flair. Harry Smith also contributed a spectacular kick‑pass that set up Partington’s second try. The Warriors’ relentless attack left the Saints scrambling for answers. St Helens managed a consolation score through Lewis Murphy, but the result left them well outside the playoff positions and under mounting scrutiny.
In post‑match comments, Saints’ centre Jack Welsby told Sky Sports, "We were right in the game at half‑time, but the second half never got going. The news about Paul Rowley hit us hard, and we tried to respond, but the margin was too big. We have to reflect on what went wrong and rebuild if we want to reach the playoffs." He added, "Our performance let the coach down.
If we had won as many games as Wigan, he wouldn't be under the sack. We need to tighten our bond as a group and finish the season stronger." Interim head coach Eamon O'Carroll expressed pride despite the defeat, saying, "I'm proud of the lads. They gave everything they had under difficult circumstances. We’ll take this week one game at a time, focusing on preparation and recovery.
The key now is to get the injured players back and keep the squad focused on the process rather than the result." Wigan’s boss Matt Peet, speaking to Sky Sports, was pleased with the win but remained realistic: "It’s a great result against our biggest rivals, but there are still areas to improve. At times we were sloppy with the ball and gave St Helens opportunities. We’ll work on our standards in training and expect the players to raise the bar themselves." Man of the match Bevan French reflected on his performance, "I felt grateful to be back and to help the team win.
It’s been a good year for me personally, and I tried to stay positive. The young lads stepped up, and it’s great to see the club’s youth progressing. We’ll keep pushing to get better every season, even when we hit setbacks." In the other fixture of the round, a depleted Wakefield Trinity side fielding only twelve players still managed a spectacular 52‑14 demolition of Castleford Tigers.
Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each recorded a double, and the Trinity side crossed the try‑line nine times, securing their sixth consecutive Super League victory. Wakefield’s early dominance was evident when they scored within the first minute of kick‑off; Johnstone exploited space on the left, drew his defender, and slipped the ball to Matty Storton, who grounded it before Max Jowitt added the conversion.
Despite Storton’s early dismissal, which left the team a man down, Trinity turned the adversity into motivation, launching a relentless offensive display that propelled them to the top of the league table, overtaking Wigan on points difference. The match highlighted the depth of Wakefield’s squad and the resilience of their younger players, who stepped up when senior members were unavailable. Their performance underlined the importance of squad rotation and the ability to adapt tactics mid‑game, especially when coping with a numerical disadvantage. Both games illustrate the volatile nature of the Super League this season.
While Wigan’s French proved his class and helped his side secure a vital win, St Helens must grapple with internal turmoil and the loss of their head coach, a situation that could define their campaign. Meanwhile, Wakefield’s triumph, achieved with a thin roster, demonstrates that strategic planning, youth development, and mental toughness can overcome even the toughest obstacles. Looking ahead, Saints will need to stabilise their coaching situation quickly and rebuild confidence if they hope to re‑enter the playoff race. Wigan will aim to tighten their defensive lapses and maintain the momentum generated by French’s play‑making.
Wakefield, buoyed by their impressive win, will look to cement their position near the top of the table, hoping that the depth shown in this match will carry them through the remainder of the season.