Match Report – Wigan 38 – 16 St Helens

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Highlights of the Super League match between Wigan Warriors and St Helens

Bevan French proved the star of the show on his return as Wigan Warriors finally demolished St Helens 38-16 in Friday’s Super League, compounding Saints’ woes.

St. Helens, who came to this derby contest Thursday’s shock news that head coach Paul Rowley has left with immediate effectActually started well, taking the lead twice in the opening 15 minutes through Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas.

The Frenchman scored for Wigan between those two tries, and the Australian then set up two tries for Jack Eckersley before the break to give the hosts the lead: the first through a fizzed cut-out pass, the second through a brilliant kick-pass.

Bevan French scored one try and assisted four more in Wigan Warriors’ game against St Helens on Friday.

Saints’ potential equalizer was ruled out by the video referee on the final play of the first half, with replays proving Jake Wardle’s outstanding defense prevented Harry Robertson from grounding the ball.

Instead, Wigan went into overdrive in the second half, scoring twice through Oliver Partington and the in-form Adam Keighran – the Frenchman collected two more assists, while Harry Smith also produced a sensational kick-pass for Partington’s second.

St Helens claimed the final with a Lewis Murphy try, but remain out of the play-off positions and under a lot of pressure.

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‘He is at the root of everything!’ | French set up Eckersley try with superb kick

Welsby: Our performance let Rowley down

St. Helens Jack Welsby told Sky Sports:

“A bit disappointed with the loss, we were right in the game at half-time.

“We didn’t start well in the second half. As things went, we can be proud of our effort but in the end it was a game we came to win. But we lost the Saints v Wigan derby by a big margin, so the overriding feeling is disappointment.

“We reacted as best we could to the Paul Rowley news. We found out yesterday and then had a training session and a captain’s run.

“The senior guys got it and the younger guys didn’t need an invitation to follow. To take the hard news, a lot of us are disappointed and embarrassed, really, because we let him down. There are things to hold on to from the first half, but we have to improve a lot if we want to make the playoffs.

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St Helens stunned Wigan again as Jacob Douglas headed over for his second of the night.

“Our performances let him down, he’s not going on the pitch. I’m sure if we’d won as many games as Wigan, he wouldn’t have been sacked.

“We always have to look inward before looking outward, especially as a sports team, so this weekend is a good time to reflect on that.

“We have to come together (if we want to make the playoffs). The group has been together all year but now, more than ever, we need a strong bond.”

O’Carroll: I’m proud of my team ‘The Oranges are now in a strong position’

Interim coach of St Helens Eamon O’Carroll told Sky Sports:

“Proud. A bit lost for words too. I told the boys to stick together all week, give us effort and intent.

“I can’t question any of them. They’ve given it in buckets. I’m really proud of the way they’ve handled this week and even though it might sound perfect, I think we’re in a strong position now.

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St Helens interim head coach Eamonn O’Connell is still proud of his side despite a heavy loss to rivals Wigan.

“We’ll build game-by-game. Our preparation is going to be really important. It’s not just about making it in the game, it’s about how we show up during the week.

“We’ve got a few dim bodies out there, so we’ve got to fix them and give the boys every chance to perform at their best.

“It’s my job to keep us focused on the here and now and let’s think about the process.

“Let’s think about the process. The next challenge is how we come tomorrow and Monday, how we go against York.”

Pete: Elements of our performance were not acceptable

Head coach of Wigan Warriors Matt Pitt From Sky Sports:

“I’m not sure, I’m satisfied with the win against our best rivals.

“There were elements of our performance that could have been better but tonight showed how far we have come as a group. It was an important win, but we know we can be better.

“A lot of times we didn’t respect the ball and it got a bit loose. St Helens were more desperate at certain points and that’s a credit to them. They made a game of it, but luckily we came away with two points.

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Matt Peat admits he wants to see more from his Wigan side despite their big win over rivals St Helens

“I’m talking about our process, our standards and the way we want to play. There were elements of tonight that we all agree were not acceptable, there are reasons for that. Like I said, we have to be better than that.

“We have to practice hard. The boys will be aware of it when they look back on it. There was a slackness in the game, I’m not sure why. I can’t drive it, the players will want to improve.”

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Oliver Partington gets his second of the night to extend Wigan’s lead

French: I just kept a positive mindset through the injury disaster

Player of the match Bevan French told Sky Sports:

“It was great! I think I just felt gratitude and appreciation

“It’s been a great year with time off the field. But I’ve just tried to keep a positive mindset. I’ve just enjoyed it in the week leading up to it and luckily it was against St Helens. Just to be admired.

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Wigan weren’t behind for long as Bevan French finished off a fine move to fully respond to St Helens’ strong start.

“The young guys have stepped up. We’ve been really blessed with the young guys coming through. It’s great to be a part of this club, to see everyone grow and become the players they want to be. It’s a good place to be.

“We’re trying to get better every year, every day. We’re going to have hiccups along the way, we’ve had plenty throughout the year and we’re still here.”

Castleford Tigers were beaten by 12-player Wakefield Trinity

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Highlights of the Super League match between Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers

Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley scored doubles as 12-man Wakefield ran in nine tries to thrash shell-shocked West Yorkshire derby rivals Castleford 52-14.

The hosts appeared to be in trouble at the DIY Kitchens Stadium when they fell 10-6 behind to Matty Stourton’s first-row dismissal, but they turned in a comprehensive display to claim a sixth Super League win.

Wakefield were ahead within 45 seconds of kick-off when Johnstone found space on the left and pulled his man before slipping the ball to Stourton before Max Jovitt added the conversion.

Although it appeared that when a player could go down against the Tigers, Trinity turned on the style of a big win to move them into second place in the standings, above Wigan on point difference.

2026 Super League – Key dates and what to look out for

• Rival Round Reverse: July 23-July 26
• Playoff Elimination: September 19-September 20
• Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
• Grand Final: 3 October, Old Trafford

Sky Sports Every game in the Super League will again be shown live this season – with two matches from each round exclusively live, the remaining five matches will be shown every week. Sky Sports+