Wigan Warriors secured a commanding victory over local rivals St Helens in a Super League derby match held at DW Stadium on July 25, 2026. The win highlighted the contrasting trajectories of the two clubs, with Wigan demonstrating sustained strength while St Helens continue to face significant challenges.
The match came on the back of a turbulent week for St Helens, who parted ways with their coach Paul Rowley just hours before kickoff. Rowley’s nine-month tenure ended amid a period of decline for the club, making him their shortest-serving coach in five decades. The decision underscored the deep-rooted issues facing a team that captured the world championship title only three years prior but now finds itself struggling in the league standings.
Despite the upheaval, St Helens showed resilience in the first half, maintaining a close contest. Tries from Jacob Douglas and Jack Welsby put the Saints ahead twice, countered by a try from Wigan’s Bevan French, who returned from a hamstring injury to deliver a standout performance. At halftime, Wigan held a narrow 16-10 lead.
After the break, Wigan extended their dominance. French’s influence grew as he scored a try and set up four others, including two assists for Zach Eckersley and two tries for Oli Partington. Wigan pulled away rapidly in the second half, effectively capitalizing on St Helens’ inability to maintain competitiveness amid a series of injuries and an inexperienced bench.
Wigan’s head coach Matt Peet acknowledged that although the victory was significant, there was still room for improvement within the squad. “There’s elements we can do better,” Peet said, reflecting on a performance that confirmed Wigan as strong contenders this season.
St Helens’ interim coach, Eamon O’Carroll, praised his team’s effort under challenging circumstances but emphasized the need for the club to navigate an extensive rebuilding process. The Saints suffered three additional injuries during the match, compounding their difficulties.
The final scoreline read 38-12 in favor of Wigan, with French, Eckersley (two tries), Partington (two tries), and Adam Keighran contributing to the victory. Keighran also successfully converted seven goals. St Helens’ tries came from Welsby, Douglas, and Lewis Murphy, with two conversions by Hastings.
This derby result encapsulates a stark contrast: Wigan remain a model of consistency and competitive strength, while St Helens confront a period of uncertainty and transition as they search for renewed stability in the months ahead.