St Helens v Wigan as it happened

1. St Helens win their first Grand Final since 2006
2. FT: St Helens 14-6 Wigan
3. Wigan's Ben Flower sent off for punching Lance Hohaia in second minute
4. Joe Burgess try gave Wigan half-time lead
5. Second-half tries from Sia Soliola and Tommy Makinson win it for Saints

Remember you can watch the highlights of tonight's match on BBC Two tomorrow at 17:30 BST (in Scotland, the programme begins at 18:00 BST).

And that is pretty much it from me. It has been another Grand Final to remember - for some good reasons and, unfortunately, for some bad reasons as well.

On the domestic front, at least, we will see you again in 2015.

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So St Helens are champions after another intense derby match with Wigan Warriors. Tries from Sia Soliola and Tommy Makinson ended their eight-year wait for the Super League title.

Read Matt Newsum's match report from Old Trafford.

The domestic season may be over, but fear not rugby league fans, because the Four Nations starts in two weeks.

England will be testing themselves against the best teams in the world - Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.

All of England's games, starting with the clash against Samoa on 25 October, will be screened live on the BBC.

And now the celebrations can begin. St Helens coach Nathan Brown is posing with the Super League trophy for the cameras, while various media outlets are attempting to grab a few words with the players involved.

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And now for the victorious St Helens squad. Captain Paul Wellens takes the microphone to offer his commiserations to Wigan, his thanks to the players and their families. And finally to the Saints' supporters: "Tonight was for you," he says. Then he lifts the trophy and gets showered in champagne.

The beaten Wigan Warriors players are being presented with their losers' prizes. A season without silverware for Shaun Wane's side, which is a rare occurrence. You can be sure they will be desperate to put that right in 2015.

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Brilliant game. Brutal, skilful and engaging. Saints were the much better team in the second half. Chants of 'it's coming home' sung by their fans."

St Helens forward Mark Flanagan told BBC Radio 5 live:

"It was a fast start and we had to compose ourselves, make sure we did not retaliate and keep our heads.

"It is a dream come true, playing on an occasion like this and to get the win in a magnificent match like this against Wigan is amazing."

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"The Wigan players have sunk to their knees, the players are in tears on the Old Trafford pitch.

"After five horrible years, the Saints have sparkled under the Old Trafford lights. Against all the odds St Helens have beaten the champions."

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has made his way onto the pitch for the post-match celebrations, as has Jon Wilkin, who missed today's game with a shoulder injury. The Saints players are jumping up and down in front of their jubilant supporters, who have waited eight years for this.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"St Helens have been a fantastic team throughout my career. Nathan Brown said that these guys were a completely different group from those that lost all those finals and they showed that tonight."

CHAMPAGNE MOMENT

St Helens have been written off many times this season. Injuries have decimated their squad at times, and robbed them of some key players in the closing weeks of the campaign, but they end the 2014 season as League Leaders' Shield winners and Grand Final winners.

Plenty of credit must go to Wigan, who fought on for 78 minutes with 12 men following Ben Flower's early red card. But it is St Helens who emerge victorious at Old Trafford. Not a bad leaving present for departing head coach Nathan Brown.

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"The Wigan fans are leaving. They were big favourites coming into this match but that double punch from Ben Flower turned this game on its head.

"In contrast the Saints fans are looking to the skies and punching the air. The noise from the Stretford End from the Saints fans is deafening."

The fans count down the final few seconds, the final hooter goes, and St Helens are the 2014 Super League champions!

St Helens hooker James Roby has been named man of the match and will be presented with the Harry Sunderland Trophy at full-time.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"You have got to give credit to Wigan, they have never not been in the game but they have been down to 12 men for the entire match.

"Credit to St Helens, they took in what Nathan Brown said at half-time and came out flying.

"I think St Helens, after all their suffering on this pitch, deserved this win."

St Helens have lost in each of their last five Grand Final appearances, but today will be their day. A first Super League title in eight years is less than two minutes away.

Tensions are beginning to simmer again at Old Trafford as John Bateman and Sia Soliola are involved in a clash under the posts. The pair are quickly separated and play restarts with a St Helens penalty.

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Delirium in the St Helens end after that try from Tommy Makinson. Fans are hugging, kissing and generally in party mood as Wigan try to respond."

More good defending from Sia Soliola to earn St Helens the turnover. His try proved the catalyst for Saints' second-half comeback, in his final appearance for the club before he heads to Australia's NRL.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"Trying to defend for eight minutes is an eternity in this game and Wigan are the one team that could come back from this.

"They need to score twice but they are the team that could do this but they need to keep the ball.

"They have got it in themselves to do this, they just have to make sure they do not panic."

Do Wigan have anything left? They come forward again and have a scrum just inside St Helens territory courtesy of a knock-on. Saints skipper Paul Wellens is down receiving some treatment.

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"That could prove the match winner. Matty Bowen got nowhere and St Helens may just have gone too far ahead in this Grand Final.

"We did wonder how big that missed kick could be but what a finish, what a season Makinson has had - in the Super League dream team and the England squad.

"Saints are edging towards ending that horrific five consecutive Super League Grand Final defeats between 2007-2011.

"It would be a great story for St Helens, they have had so many injuries this season."

Ray French

BBC Radio Merseyside

"St Helens don't have to throw it around. They just have to see out their sets of six and Wigan will tire."

TRY

PA

Is that game over? St Helens captain Paul Wellens puts up a high kick and Tommy Makinson claims it above the Wigan defence to touch down under the posts. Makinson jumps in delight, and as Mark Percival sends over the kick at goal, a first title since 2006 is not too far away.

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"It wasn't an easy kick but you do start to wonder how key that missed kick could be.

"It is as fierce a derby as I have seen for some time."

I have to admit that, when Ben Flower was sent off with less than two minutes on the clock, I did not expect Wigan to still be so close at this stage. Only 14 minutes left and the Warriors are still in with a shout.

MISSED PENALTY

How crucial will that miss be from Matty Smith? It was by no means a certainty. But in a game as tight and as important as this, chances like that simply have to go over as he pulls his kick across the face of the posts and wide.

After a wonderful Wigan break, Josh Charnley is tackled 10 metres out by Josh Jones, but he holds on too long and Saints are penalised. Wigan going for the two to level it up again.

Wigan are keeping the ball alive inside their own 10 metres. Offload after offload from their back five. They are not giving up by any means, and you would not put it past them to get back into this one.

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"The pendulum is swinging and it is swinging towards St Helens.

"Wigan need a big game changer. They are going to need a 40-20 kick or a penalty to get down the other end. Anything to try and get some points on the board."

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Both teams now attacking their own fans. The Saints supporters almost pulled Soliola over for that try. The noise levels have gone up a notch."

PA

20 minutes left to play. Just two points the difference.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"It is probably a bit easier for us in the gantry to see that opportunity. I think it shows that Wigan have the ability to come back from this.

"It is what Wigan have been doing all season and why they are in this final. They have been outstanding, not just with the ball, but being willing to go that extra yard."

What a tackle by Tommy Makinson to deny Liam Farrell, who was about to score one of the greatest tries ever seen in a Grand Final. Makinson has been in lethal scoring form at the other end for Saints this season, but he needed all of his defensive skills to keep out the Wigan second-rower there. The move develops and Wigan are still in the hunt, but then John Bateman knocks on. An escape for Saints, a moment of hope for the Warriors.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"That could have been the first time Wigan will have thought that they are a man down.

"St Helens have had all the field possession for the last 10 minutes and they look like the team in control now.

"Nathan Brown will have told his players they needed to start this half big and I think you will see them get better and better."

Alex Haworth: It's that Flower has flagrantly diminished his side's chances that's annoyed me more than the fact that he's assaulted someone.

Paul Heyes: The forearm smash deserves a red card, the first punch deserves a red card. The second punch deserves criminal proceedings.

Stu Dykes: Worst first half ever. South Sydney must be laughing.

St Helens and Wigan Warriors will both be involved in next year's newly revamped six-team World Club Challenge that will take place in the UK between Friday, 20 February - Sunday, 22 February 2015. South Sydney Rabbitohs, this year's NRL Grand Final champions finalists Brisbane Broncos and St George-Illawarra Dragons will also feature, while Warrington will also represent Super League.

TRY

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In his farewell appearance for St Helens, Sia Soliola gives them a huge lift with his side's first try of the evening. The big forward, sporting a more sensible haircut these days, powers his way over from close range. Mark Percival converts and puts Saints in front for the first time in the Grand Final.

Not quite a situation of counting down the minutes for Wigan, but with every passing set of six they see out, the more they must believe it will be their day. They have more defensive work to do now, as prop Eddy Pettybourne knocks on near the halfway line.

Sia Soliola is back on his feet and back on the field. No serious harm done.

A mass of bodies attempt to claim a high bomb and Matty Bowen gets there first, but the Wigan full-back knocks on. Head and feed to Saints 10 metres out. From the first play, Sia Soliola cops one to the head and remains on the ground.

For a side with 12 men, Wigan are playing with enormous energy. They can't keep this up, can they?

Chance gone for the Warriors as Sean O'Loughlin tries to kick through from the play-the-ball and only prods it into a wall of Saints defenders.

Injured St Helens forward Jon Wilkin told BBC Radio 5 live about head coach Nathan Brown's half-time team talk:

"He said we need a bit more composure, we had a frustrating first half with control of the ball.

"It was an aggressive start to the match, it set the tone, but we thrive in a tough physical match."

Andy in Darwen: Ben Flower should be charged for that punch, Duncan Ferguson served time for his on-field head butt and this is as equally bad.

David Dean in London: Flower deserved red but Hohaia was the instigator and should have seen yellow. Come on Wigan.

Maureen in Chester: I support Wigan but that was disgraceful from Ben Flower.

Blake Green's high kick is fumbled by Mark Percival and Wigan have six more tackles 20 metres out.

Not the start St Helens wanted. They decide to run the ball on the last tackle and the play is easily turned over.

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Have you got your breath back? Both teams are back out and ready to go at it again.

Rugger Tyke: Think Ben Flower lives to the spirit of sport's most bitter rivalry.

Thomas Stirk: Saints have been shocking but Wigan's defence has been wonderful. Would be one of the all-time great wins if they hang on.

Ken Smith: Game overshadowed by a senseless attack by Flower, which will do the sport's image no good at all.

Ben Keen: You wonder how accidental the punch on Hohaia was - only fit half-back taken out in second minute.

Ben Flower still the number one trend in the UK, keep on sending us your thoughts on the Wigan prop's actions this evening.

Television viewers have also been taken inside both dressing rooms. Nathan Brown looked quite calm as he addressed his St Helens players, while Wigan coach Shaun Wane appeared much more animated.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"Obviously the big guys want to get on top. That is the wrong way to do it. You do not realise Wigan are a man down at the moment but the toil could tell. You hope it doesn't but it is a long 40 minutes.

"St Helens are making too many mistakes. It is usually the team that is the most patient that wins but they have made too many errors in the final moments which gives Wigan a break.

"And as you saw from the penalty they gave away in the final moments, the errors are costing them dearly."

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The incident that resulted in Ben Flower's red card has been shown again on television. The replays are not any kinder to the Wales prop. Lance Hohaia clashed with Flower beforehand off the ball, but Flower's response is inexcusable. Two punches to the head of the New Zealand international? He had to go.

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"Once he gets the ball he knows how to finish. What a season the teenager Joe Burgess has had. I think it is fair to say he knows where the try line is. Can Wigan see it through?"

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Big grins from all the Wigan fans to the left of the press box at half-time.

"The Warriors head coach Shaun Wane, wearing a protective boot because of an Achilles injury, looked visibly relieved his team scored the first try of the night.

"Saints counterpart Nathan Brown needs to get stuck into his side as they are struggling to break down the Wigan defence despite the extra man."

Get involved

What did you make of that first half? And who are your favourites now? Can 12-man Wigan hold on to their 6-2 lead, or will Saints roar back to give head coach Nathan Brown the perfect send off?

Text 81111 or use #bbcrl on Twitter.

HALF-TIME

Wow. What a first half at Old Trafford. A moment of madness from Ben Flower is followed by a resolute Wigan display and a try to remember for youngster Joe Burgess.

TRY

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Who writes Wigan's scripts? Down to 12 men after two minutes, but they will go into half-time of the Grand Final with a lead. What a moment for teenage winger Joe Burgess, who slides in at the corner and leaps in delight before being engulfed by his team-mates. Matty Smith is wide with a tough conversion, but the Warriors head down the tunnel with a spring in their step and a four-point advantage.

Ray French

BBC Radio Merseyside

"You have to give credit to Wigan for holding St Helens with 12 men.

"But Saints are hamstrung in the middle with no half-backs. They have lost their only natural half-back in Lance Hohaia."

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"[Wigan coach] Shaun Wane is heading down to the touchline. I would pay to hear what he has to say at half-time. He was absolutely fuming with Ben Flower when he got sent off for his two punches."

While the video referee rules that St Helens were in touch near the try line, my colleague Nathan Middleton informs me that Ben Flower is currently the top trend on Twitter in the United Kingdom. He is the first player ever to be sent off in a Grand Final.

After Ben Flower's early red card, Wigan's commitment and endeavour has been very evident in the first half, and they have had their fair share of attacking play too. The question is - how long can they keep it up?

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"The pitch is greasy. You have go smart in games like this and make the right decisions at the right time on this sort of pitch.

"This is going to be a close match and you look at the team which is going to make the least errors. We (Leeds) made too many errors at the end of the season and rightly so we didn't deserve to go through."

A moment of concern as St Helens hooker James Roby limps away awkwardly from a tackle. He is their key man, the player that makes them tick. He seems to have shaken it off for now, but one to keep an eye on.

St Helens are camped by the Wigan line but some excellent defensive work by Anthony Gelling keeps Saints out by grasping a horrible bouncing ball. Saints are caught offside and it is a penalty to Wigan, who break but Joe Burgess is dragged into touch.

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"They might be a man down but Wigan are looking the more creative of the two sides with ball in hand, Blake Green and Matty Smith pulling the strings."

Strong thoughts on Ben Flower's action in the opening seconds of the match.

Josh Knaggs: At what point do you class behaviour on a rugby pitch as criminal? Ben Flower has definitely crossed the line there.

Laura Malkin: Wow, Ben Flower is heading for a lengthy ban surely.

Aaron Wallace: If Wigan win should Ben Flower be allowed on the victory podium?

PENALTY

St Helens are on the board as Mark Percival slots over a penalty from close range. We are tied at 2-2. Will that settle Saints down?

A touch of the Harlem Globetrotters from Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, who tries an outrageous offload to try and set St Helens forward. Not the brightest piece of play, as there would have been a break on had Wigan not knocked on. Blake Green is then penalised for holding onto James Roby in the tackle. A chance for Saints to level.

Rob Burrow

Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"When you have a man sent off you tend to grow an extra leg. Wigan are sticking to their shape but with the red card having been so early on it will come back to haunt them. They will have to hope they have got enough points on the board by that point."

When Paul Wellens starts making mistakes, you may begin to think it is not your day. The St Helens captain looks to kick the ball into touch but it goes out on the full and gifts Wigan some much-needed territory. Then an obstruction call goes against them. Some work to do for the League Leaders' Shield winners.

Charlie Morgan: As far as brain explosions go, Ben Flower has just won an Oscar. Mindless.

Andrew: I'm no expert but couldn't about six have been sent off? If that was football, there'd be calls for arrests.

Michael Juma: Ben Flower you let your team-mates down there and the fans who paid money to go and watch. What a let down.

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Fair play to Wigan, they have responded well to the sending-off of Ben Flower. It is they who are doing most of the attacking. Another high kick is well claimed by Mark Percival, but they are keeping Saints at arm's length.

Matt Newsum

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Saints now down to no genuine halves with Hohaia off. Jordan Turner deserves credit for some decent kicks. He has stepped up this tail end of the season."

Another St Helens mistake gives Wigan a scrum on the halfway line. As much as Saints have the extra man advantage, they do not seem to have adapted to that yet, and have made a couple of basic errors with ball in hand.

Tulsen Tollett

Former Super League star and BBC Sport expert on pitchside for BBC Radio 5 live

"Hohaia is back out and sitting on the substitutes' bench. The doctor has said he is just dazed but at the moment you cannot see him coming back on the way he is looking."

PENALTY

Matty Smith does the honours and puts 12-man Wigan in front. Half-back Smith played for St Helens against the Warriors in the 2010 Grand Final. Will he be on the winning side today? Meanwhile, Lance Hohaia is back in the St Helens dugout but does not look at all comfortable.

Sean O'Loughlin's tackle on Alex Walmsley wins possession back for Wigan in their own half, and although Adam Swift collects a high kick easily, Saints are penalised for obstruction and Wigan are going for the two points.

Lots of worried expressions among the Wigan supporters, stunned by early events at Old Trafford.

Now Wigan winger Josh Charnley is penalised for tackling Adam Swift in the air as he chases Matty Smith's high kick. After Ben Flower's early red card, the Warriors will need something special to win this one. Saying that, they have plenty of special players.

Tulsen Tollett

Former Super League star and BBC Sport expert on pitchside for BBC Radio 5 live

"We do not know if it is a broken nose yet. St Helens are still assessing his situation and will be looking to bring Lance Hohaia back on."

Josh Charnley's run earns Wigan a penalty 40 metres from the St Helens line and a chance to gather their thoughts. A chipped kick evades Charnley and runs dead.

Well, St Helens could not have asked for a better start. Yes, Lance Hohaia is still off the field after being punched twice by Ben Flower, and they would have liked some early points I am sure. But the prospect of playing with an extra man for 78 minutes after Flower's red card? Saints must be strong favourites now.

Sia Soliola is held up near the try line and as St Helens look to use the overlap on the right touchline, they cough up possession and Wigan breathe a sigh of relief.

Lance Hohaia looks very groggy as he is helped from the field by the St Helens physio. And things have got worse for Wigan as Matty Bowen knocks on 20 metres from his own line as he tries to deal with a long kick forward.

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"It took 90 seconds. First massive brawl and all the players involved. Tasty right hooks thrown by Ben Flower, who predictably is sent off."

RED CARD

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Ben Flower is sent off by referee Phil Bentham. A moment of madness from the Wigan prop. We saw Warrington's Ben Westwood get away with one last year, but no such luck for the Welshman. Surely advantage Saints now.

It only took two minutes for the first fight to break out. Wigan prop Ben Flower spills the ball with the try line in sight and, in frustration, lands two punches on Lance Hohaia. He has to be in trouble...

An unbelievable first hit by Saints prop Mose Masoe on Dom Crosby! The big Samoan is a man mountain. I reckon Crosby would have felt that.

St Helens v Wigan Warriors

Ged Scott

Are you ready? Then let us begin. We are under way!

Wigan coach Shaun Wane, standing next to the Super League trophy, shook every one of his players by the hand as they entered the field of play. A proud day for him, and also for a suited Nathan Brown, who will take charge of St Helens for the final time this evening.

George Riley

BBC Radio 5 live commentator

BBC

"The scene is set. Eighty minutes to define a champion. Commentary of the Super League Grand Final starting on BBC Radio 5 live at 18:00 BST."

The teams are on their way out onto the field. Their date with destiny has arrived in a flurry of pyrotechnics. Kick-off at Old Trafford is just a few moments away.

James have been singing a medley of their hits to entertain the Old Trafford crowd. Not sure what Simon Cowell would have made of the quality of vocals on show, but to be fair, they were giving it some. And the fans seemed to enjoy it.

Nathan Middleton

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Billy Boston and Jason Robinson the star names spotted so far in the Old Trafford directors' box. Sun has just come out and noise levels rising."

A tale of two coaches

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Following their semi-final win against Catalan Dragons, St Helens confirmed Nathan Brown will leave his position as head coach after the Grand Final. He plans to return to his native Australia.

In the other camp, meanwhile, Wigan announced last night that their coach Shaun Wane and talismanic captain Sean O'Loughlin had signed new three-year contracts with the Warriors.

Have I seen you here before?

This is the third time St Helens and Wigan have met in a Grand Final. Both sides have one victory apiece so far...

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2000 Grand Final: ST HELENS 29-16 Wigan Warriors

Chris Joynt produced a man-of-the-match display to pick up the Harry Sunderland Trophy, scoring two of his side's five tries as Saints successfully defended their Super League crown.

Paul Wellens, who will captain St Helens today, started the game at full-back.

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2010 Grand Final: WIGAN WARRIORS 22-10 St Helens

Martin Gleeson, a Grand Final winner with Saints eight years earlier, scored two tries as Wigan ended their 12-year wait for a Super League title.

While Wigan celebrated at the end of the match, Gleeson consoled St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham, whose career had come to a conclusion with a fourth consecutive Grand Final defeat.

Some celebrity fans have been lending their support to their respective teams as kick-off approaches...

Comedian and St Helens supporter Johnny Vegas: C'mon @Saints1890 do us proud. Gutted I can't be there, moving house takes priority apparently? Will be cheering from the pub though #COYS

Ryder Cup winner and Wigan follower Lee Westwood: Got my shirt and ready for Saturday night.

How Wigan got to the Grand Final

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Wigan Warriors made a slow start to the defence of their Super League crown, although the distraction of a trip to Australia to face Sydney Roosters in the World Club Challenge did little to help their cause domestically.

They recovered to finish second in the table, a point behind St Helens, giving them home advantage in their play-off fixtures.

A comfortable victory over Huddersfield was followed by an enthralling semi-final against Warrington, which they won courtesy of a late try from teenage winger Joe Burgess.

The Warriors are the team for the big occasion - do they have one more match-winning performance left?

Enjoy five of their best tries from the 2014 season here.

How St Helens got to the Grand Final

SWPIX.COM

St Helens coped admirably with the loss of influential figures such as Luke Walsh, Jonny Lomax and Jon Wilkin to long-term injuries as they finished top of the table at the end of the regular Super League season.

The League Leaders' Shield was their first silverware since 2008, and although many expected them to falter in the play-offs, Nathan Brown's side eased through their ties against Castleford and Catalan Dragons to reach the Grand Final.

Saints were last champions in 2006 and have lost all five Grand Finals they have appeared in since then. Will today be their day?

Enjoy five of their best tries from the 2014 season here.

Matt Newsum

BBC Sport at Old Trafford

BBC

"Wigan follow Saints out of the tunnel to warm up, RL Rockettes out dancing, it feels more partisan than other Grand Finals."

BBC coverage

There are several ways to follow the action from today's Super League Grand Final.

BBC Radio 5 live, BBC Radio Manchester and BBC Radio Merseyside are all providing live commentary - you can access them all by clicking on the Live Coverage tab or visiting the BBC commentaries page.

BBC Two will also be screening a highlights programme at 17:30 BST tomorrow (18:00 BST in Scotland).

The pundit's view

SWPIX.COM

Brian Noble is no stranger to Grand Finals, having won three of them with Bradford Bulls, and as an ex-Wigan coach, he knows all about the club's intense rivalry with St Helens.

Where does he think today's game will be won and lost?

Get involved

Wigan start as favourites to win today's Grand Final against St Helens - do you agree?

Which are the key battles we should be looking out for? Who will produce the game's pivotal moment? Will it be Wellens or O'Loughlin lifting the Super League trophy later this evening?

Get in touch by sending a text to 81111 or using #bbcrl on Twitter.

BreakingTeam news

SWPIX.COM

St Helens captain Paul Wellens makes a record-equalling 10th Grand Final appearance, tying the mark set by Leeds Rhinos prop Jamie Peacock. The 34-year-old starts at full-back.

The big news as far as Wigan are concerned is the absence of hooker Michael McIlorum. He suffered a facial injury in the semi-final win over Warrington last week and is not included in their 17-man squad.

St Helens: Paul Wellens (c); Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Josh Jones, Adam Swift; Mark Flanagan, Lance Hohaia; Kyle Amor, James Roby, Mose Masoe, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Sia Soliola, Jordan Turner. Replacements: Willie Manu, Alex Walmsley, Greg Richards, Luke Thompson.

Wigan Warriors: Matty Bowen; Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Dan Sarginson, Joe Burgess; Blake Green, Matty Smith; Ben Flower, Sam Powell, Dom Crosby, Joel Tomkins, Liam Farrell, Sean O'Loughlin (c). Replacements: Eddy Pettybourne, Tony Clubb, John Bateman, George Williams.

Want to know the teams a little better? Earlier this week, North West Tonight's Richard Askam met up with injured duo Jon Wilkin and Iain Thornley to get an insider's view of the St Helens and Wigan sides.

SWPIX.COM

Warriors coach Shaun Wane, a proud Wiganer, was in bullish mood at Monday's pre-match media conference, as our introductory quote proves.

But St Helens had no plans to shy away from the trash talk.

Their head coach, Nathan Brown, spoke of the "bitter hatred" that exists between the two clubs.

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"This game is special. They show and tell us how much they hate us, and that's the way it is. If we played each other at tiddlywinks, there'd be blood."

St Helens v Wigan Warriors. One of the fiercest rivalries in British sport. Their mutual hatred is seldom hidden, their mutual respect is offered begrudgingly.

How to intensify that? Throw in the prospect of becoming Super League champions if you can overcome your most bitter of foes after 80 gruelling and emotionally-charged minutes at Old Trafford.

This should be fun.