Bevan French proved to be the headline act on his comeback, guiding the Wigan Warriors to a commanding 38-16 triumph over St Helens 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 in the week.
St Helens began the derby on a positive note, seizing the lead twice within the first fifteen minutes thanks to tries from Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas. French answered each of those scores, finding the try line for Wigan in the intervals and then orchestrating two more scores for teammate Zach Eckersley before the break.
The first of those was set up by a clever cut‑out pass that split the defence, while the second came from a superb kick‑pass that left Eckersley with a clear run to the corner. The Saints appeared to be on the verge of an equaliser as the first half drew to a close, but the video referee intervened to disallow the effort. Replays showed Jake Wardle’s disciplined tackle preventing Harry Robertson from grounding the ball, nullifying what would have been a crucial score for St Helens.
When the second half commenced, Wigan switched into a higher gear. Oliver Partington crossed the line twice, and in‑form Adam Keighran added another try, each of which was set up by French’s incisive passing.
French himself recorded two further assists, and Harry Smith produced a spectacular kick‑pass that enabled Partington to complete his brace. The only consolation for the home side came late when Lewis Murphy managed to touch down, but the result left Saints outside the playoff places and under mounting scrutiny. Speaking to Sky Sports, St Helens’ Jack Welsby admitted the disappointment was palpable. “We were right in the game at half‑time, but the second half never got going for us,” he said.
“The news about Paul Rowley hit us hard – we found out the day before, had a training session, a captain’s run, and tried to rally. It’s a tough pill to swallow; many of us feel we let him down.
We need to tighten up if we want a shot at the playoffs.” Interim coach Eamon O'Carroll also addressed the media, expressing pride despite the loss. “I’m proud of the boys – they gave everything,” he explained. “We’ll have to rebuild game by game, focus on preparation and get the injured players back to full fitness. The process is what matters now, and we’ll take it one week at a time, starting with our next fixture against York.” Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet reflected on his side’s performance.
“I’m pleased with the win against our biggest rivals,” he said. “There are aspects we can improve – at times we were a bit loose with the ball – but the overall display shows how far we have come as a unit. We’ll keep working on our standards and our style of play, and the lads will see the areas that need tightening when we get back to training.” Player of the match Bevan French summed up his feelings succinctly. “It was great – I felt a lot of gratitude,” he told Sky Sports.
“I’ve had a good year off the field, stayed positive, and was lucky to have the chance to play against St Helens. The younger players stepped up, and it’s fantastic to see the club’s youth progressing. We’re all trying to get better each day, and even though we have hiccups, we keep pushing forward.” The evening also featured a remarkable display from Wakefield Trinity, who fielded only twelve men yet still managed to dismantle Castleford 52-14 in a West Yorkshire derby.
Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley each recorded double‑tries as the Trinity side crossed the line nine times, securing a sixth consecutive Super League victory. Wakefield’s early surge came within the first minute of the match. Johnstone exploited space on the left, drew his defender, and slipped the ball to Matty Storton, who raced over for the opening try.
Max Jowitt added the conversion, putting the hosts ahead 6-0. Despite an early setback when Storton was sent off, the Trinity side never looked threatened.
Instead, they turned the numerical disadvantage into a showcase of attacking flair, eventually climbing to second place in the league table, ahead of Wigan on points difference. The match highlighted the depth of talent in the Super League and underscored the importance of resilience and adaptability.
Both Wigan and Wakefield demonstrated that disciplined execution, creative playmaking, and a strong team ethos can overcome adversity, whether it be a coaching upheaval or playing with a man short. As the season progresses, fans can expect more dramatic encounters and tactical battles as clubs vie for the coveted playoff spots.
Sky Sports confirmed that it will continue to broadcast every Super League game live this season, offering two matches per round exclusively on its main channel while the remaining fixtures will be shown on Sky Sports+. This comprehensive coverage ensures that supporters can follow the league’s twists and turns, from high‑stakes derbies to surprise upsets, throughout the campaign.