Rumour has it that Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, has confirmed on numerous occasions that his family’s predecessors lent the family name to two famous sporting events. One is the Classic horse race which takes place on Epsom Downs every year, with the other being games between rugby league’s two great rivals, St Helens and Wigan.
It is no surprise, therefore, that the Wigan coach, Shaun Wane, is so passionate in his desire to beat St Helens given how this is, in the history books at least, the true derby of the sport.
It would take a brave man to ever tell Wane a St Helens v Wigan game means little, but thankfully for those naysayers, Friday’s meeting will have a huge bearing on the semi-final line-up in the play-offs. A Wigan win at Langtree Park will secure a home semi-final at the expense of Saints, and Wane said everyone at the club knows the importance of the game.
“There’s no need for motivation – I’m revved up,” he said. “The lads understand that this game is hugely important to everyone. Even the lads who aren’t from Wigan understand what it means to the team and the town to beat St Helens and to put a good performance in. We’ll leave no stone unturned to ensure we’re prepared.
“It’s the best derby in Super League, no doubt about it. It’s the most intense without doubt and the fact it’s at St Helens – they’re talking about how well they’re doing – all adds to the spice to the game.”
Comments made by the St Helens captain Jon Wilkin, who suggested they are the only side who can prevent Leeds winning the treble, were also mentioned.
“They’re going to give it everything but make no mistake about it, we will be too. They talk about how they’re the only team that can beat Leeds, so we need to make sure we leave our stamp on this game,” Wane added. “We’ll deliver with our actions. It [the comment] didn’t surprise me. My captain is from Wigan and he doesn’t need to talk like that, he just gets down to his business on the field. They can get on with whatever they want. I wouldn’t say it annoyed me, it’s just one of those things – we’ve beaten Leeds twice [already], so he must have forgotten about that.”
Wane will probably recall the captain Sean O’Loughlin, full-back Matty Bowen and prop Larne Patrick after they were rested for win over Hull. St Helens have named Atelea Vea in the squad for the first time since the Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Leeds in July.
