No extra motivation needed for ‘biggest derby in rugby league’

Paul Wellens has lived the St Helens and Wigan derby as a fan, as a player and now he will as a coach.

The Saints legend will take charge of his first derby as coach this Good Friday, some 24 years since he appeared in his first as a player.

It’s the same two competition points on offer, but it’s a game that carries much greater significance.

Saints go in to the game with four wins from six in Super League so far this season, the latest of which their 38-0 home win over Wakefield on Friday.

Wigan meanwhile have won five from seven, including a televised win in the ‘Battle of the Borough’ at Leigh last week that sets them up well for the visit of Saints.

From fan to player to coach

Wellens could barely hide his enthusiasm looking ahead to the Wigan game, even in his late night press conference after the Wakefield game.

He said: “Absolutely yes I’m looking forward to it. As a player, you never had to find the extra motivation, especially being a St Helens boy, and now as a coach it’s the same.

“It’ll probably be the easiest week of my coaching life in that regard. Obviously there’s some detail we’ve got to cover off and recognise we’re coming up against some dangerous players and how we can deal with them effectively.

“In terms of the occasion, it’s an outstanding occasion to be part of.

“I’ve done it as a supporter, as a player and now as a coach.

“I still feel like that five or six year old kid getting excited for the Saints-Wigan game.

“There’s a big challenge around big games that you don’t get over emotional.

“I’m sure we’ll have to calm down the players a little bit, so we’ll build that in to the week. The group handles big games really well, not just the occasion but the days leading up to it. We’re confident we can do that again.”

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The Derby

Wellens came off the bench as Saints won 14-12 at Wigan in April 1999.

During his playing career, he turned out against Wigan 61 times, tasting victory on 31 occasions and scoring 20 tries.

His last was on Good Friday 2015, when Wigan came out 12-4 winners in front of a crowd of 24,054 at the DW Stadium.

Some eight years on, Tommy Makinson, James Roby, Alex Walmsley and Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook remains as mainstays of this all-conquering St Helens side.

The only player in the Wigan squad who featured that day is Ryan Hampshire, who started at full-back at the age of just 20.

He left Wigan at the end of that year and went on to play for Castleford, Leigh and Wakefield before returning to the Warriors at the start of 2023. He is yet to make an appearance since his return, as he continues his recovery from an ACL injury picked up last season.

The two clubs are holding a joint media event later today, Monday, to promote the game which is heading for a sell-out.

Rivals round

Wigan confirmed at the back end of last week that they had already sold more than 20,000 tickets for what they’ve dubbed the “biggest derby in rugby league.”

The clash at the DW Stadium kicks off at 3pm on Friday, after Hull FC have hosted Hull KR at the MKM Stadium in the Hull derby at 12.30pm.

All six of the Super League games over Easter are being televised by Sky Sports, who will also show the season opener of the Women’s Super League between Leeds and York on Sunday.

“Rivals Round” starts with the relegation four-pointer between Castleford and Wakefield on Thursday night (8pm).

On Saturday, Leigh welcome Salford to Leigh Sports Village at 2.30pm, while Warrington are in France to take on Catalans at 5pm.