Summary

  • Tyson Frizell goes over for the visitors inside the first two minutes

  • Gareth O'Brien breaks away and converts his try to level before Joel Thompson puts St George back in front

  • Ryan Atkins runs in to keep Warrington in contention

  • O'Brien's goal levels the game for a second time before Josh Dugan wins it for St George

  • Wigan Warriors v Brisbane Broncos (19:45 GMT) on Saturday and St Helens v South Sydney Rabbitohs (19:00 GMT) on Sunday to come.

Live Reporting

Steve Marshall

  1. How has Super League fared in the World Club Challenge?

    Sydney RoostersGetty Images

    The World Club Challenge began unofficially in 1976 but has been a regular fixture since 2000.

    Of the 15 Challenge games since the turn of the century, Super League has come out on top eight times, with the the NRL winning seven despite only one of the fixtures - last year's meeting between Sydney Roosters and Wigan - being played down under.

    Leeds, Bradford and Melbourne Storm have all won three times, although Storm were stripped of their 2010 title for breaching salary cap rules.

  2. World Club Series a 'mismatch'

    Robbie Hunter-PaulGetty Images

    So, over the course of the three games, will it be Super League or NRL that comes out on top?

    Former New Zealand half-back and Bradford Bulls chief executive Robbie Hunter-Paul believes the three-match series will be tighter than last season's league positions suggest.

    "Wigan, Warrington and St Helens all finished top of the pile last year and it will be good to see how they compete against some of the world-class talent that's coming across from down under," he told the BBC's Super League Show.

    "With where all the teams finished last year, it's a bit of a mismatch in terms of Super League but we know that counts for nothing."

    You can hear more from Robbie Hunter-Paul by clicking the highlights tab.

  3. Get Involved #bbcrl

    Couple of very different opinions coming up for you here:

    Adam O'Neill: Aussie Whitewash 3-0

    Christine Mars: British whitewash

    Are you team Adam or team Christine? Or are you your own team?

    Let us know by using #bbcrl on Twitter.

  4. Don't write off the Dragons

    As I mentioned earlier, St George didn't have a great 2014. But with the talent in their side, coach Paul McGregor says they should not be under-estimated.

    "I know a lot of people aren't giving us much chance this year but the belief inside our establishment is very good," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

    "Look at the important positions. Look at our halves - they're both internationals.

    "Benji (Marshall) has captained his country 25 times. Gareth Widdop is obviously a very good player and a five-eighth for England."

  5. King in attendance

    BBC Sport's Phil Cartwright at the Halliwell Jones Stadium: "Everyone will be trying to spot famous faces this weekend, particularly at Langtree Park on Sunday, where Russell Crowe is expected to be in attendance for South Sydney Rabbitohs' tie with St Helens.

    Matt KingSWpix.com

    "Matt King may not be a Hollywood actor, but the Aussie centre is idolised by Wolves fans. King was part of the Warrington sides that won the Challenge Cup in 2009 and 2010, and he received a great reception from the home supporters as he made his way around the pitch a few minutes ago. For the hairstyle fans among you, King still sports a massive afro."

  6. Smith 'excited' by Dragons test

    Warrington coach Tony Smith has been involved in plenty of big games during his time with the Wolves and England.

    And he told BBC Radio Merseyside that with the chance to help Super League win the inaugural World Club Series trophy at stake, facing the club he graced as a stand-off would be one of the biggest games of their season.

    "I love the World Club Series, I think it is a great concept and it could be expanded in the future," he said.

    "Aside from the big games at the end of the year when there are a couple of trophies available, we see it as the next biggest game.

    "We've been preparing for it for a while and we're excited about it. We'll have a healthy respect for them but at the same time we're concentrating on we can do."

  7. Team news

    So, a big blow for Warrington, then, who must do without full-back Stefan Ratchford in the only change from the starting 13 that won at Hull last weekend. Ratchford took a knock to the shoulder early on in the win at the KC Stadium and Gary Wheeler comes into the side.

    And there's a place on the bench for prop Anthony England.

    Australian international Ben Creagh will lead the St George Illawarra side, with England's Gareth Widdop and New Zealand half-back Benji Marshall both starting.

  8. Friday's line-ups

    Warrington Wolves: Wheeler; Evans, Monaghan, Atkins, Penny; O'Brien, Myler; Hill, Clark, Sims, Currie, Laithwaite, Westwood.

    Replacements: Bridge, Harrison, Higham, England.

    St George Illawarra: Dugan; Nabuli, Nielsen, Farrell, Nightingale; Widdop, Marshall; O'Brien, Rein, Ah Mau, Frizell, Thompson, Creagh.

    Replacements: Merrin, De Belin, Marketo, Rose.

  10. Familiar faces in the Dragons camp

    Gareth WiddopGetty Images

    The Dragons might not have had the best of times last season but they still boast some stellar names.

    Halifax-born, Melbourne-bred England stand-off Gareth Widdop is a key member of the St George side and enjoyed an outstanding 2014 season, finishing fourth in the Dally M player of the year awards, a vote to rank the best performing players in the NRL.

    His partner at half-back is New Zealand's 2008 World Cup-winning captain Benji Marshall.

    Hooker Heath L'Estrange is no stranger to Super League fans after his four-year spell with Bradford Bulls but he'll have to take a watching brief tonight after not being included in the St George 17.

  11. How did they qualify?

    Tony SmithGetty Images

    Warrington might have only finished fifth in Super League last season but Tony Smith's side were one step from reaching the Grand Final last season, losing 16-12 at Wigan in the qualifying semi-finals.

    They qualified for the World Club Series because they finished higher in Super League than the other losing semi-finalists Catalans Dragons.

    St George Illawarra won the World Club Challenge in 2011, beating Wigan, and accepted an invitation to take part after finishing 11th in the NRL last season.

  12. Get involved #bbcrl

    Russell CroweGetty Images

    We hope you're looking forward to these three nights of rugby league as much as we are.

    But these live texts are much more fun when you guys and gals get involved.

    Who do you think with prevail this evening? What about Sunday's big game? And will we indeed see a lesser-spotted Crowe at Langtree Park?

    Let us know by using #bbcrl on Twitter or if you're in the UK you can always text us on 81111.

  13. Over the next three evenings we'll be bringing you all the action from the expanded tournament.

    In the past it's all been about the winners of Super League taking on the NRL champions in a fixture that has become one of the centrepieces of the rugby league calendar.

    But this year, both organisations have entered three teams to play for the World Series trophy - and first up is Warrington Wolves v St George Illawarra Dragons.

    Last season's losing Super League Grand Finalists Wigan then host Brisbane Broncos tomorrow, before the two reigning champions - St Helens and South Sydney Rabbitohs - battle it out in the World Club Challenge at Langtree Park on Sunday.

  14. Take three of the Super League's best teams, throw in three more clubs from Australia's National Rugby League and what have you got?

    Hopefully a recipe for bit hits, silky handling, dancing feet and tries galore.

    Welcome to our coverage of the opening game of rugby league's new-look World Club Series.