Bevan French doubles up as Wigan dismantle St Helens

It has been over 1,000 days since the Super League trophy resided anywhere other than St Helens but on nights like these, it feels like for the first time in four seasons, the all-conquering reign of the back-to-back-to-back champions could be under threat. Make no mistake, absorbing derbies and the results that accompany them like this one can skew our focus and while this was a setback for the Saints, they are still the favourites to lift the title at Old Trafford in a month’s time.

There have been worse nights to be a Wigan supporter, in truth. Victory over their great rivals is cause enough for celebration. But this win, one of their most impressive of the season so far, not only secured a top two finish before the playoffs but denied the Saints the chance to win the League Leaders’ Shield at the home of their greatest rivals. Had the reigning champions secured top spot here, it would have left a bitter taste in the mouths of everyone associated with Wigan.

St Helens, without almost an entire first-choice backline here, will not play this poorly again when the playoffs begin. But Wigan were defensively outstanding and clinical in attack when it mattered. They, like the Saints, now get the opening round of the playoffs off courtesy of a top-two finish. All season long the prospect of someone needing to come here to keep their season alive has felt daunting. This performance further emphasised those thoughts.

“The endeavour, desire and commitment to one another were outstanding,” Wigan’s coach, Matt Peet, said. “We can do some things better but they’re the things that win games at this time of the year. That’s what makes me proud of that performance.” He certainly should be proud, but he will be wary of how a wounded