Kevin Brown
Widnes Vikings captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"There are a couple of big forwards coming off and there are a couple of tired ones still on. It's opening up and great to see."

Oh dear, St Helens! Massive opportunity missed by the champions. Alex Walmsley's offload in his own half, after a huge hit on him by Michael McIlorum, sets Adam Swift away and he's tackled. The visitors spread it to the right wing and have numbers, but Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook's offload lands in open space.

Another penalty against St Helens - that's three they've given away in the opening nine minutes. Matty Dawson catches Dan Sarginson high but he escapes punishment. George Williams puts a grubber kick through and Adam Swift safely gathers. Wigan on the front foot here.

Could be a tough call on Saints as Tommy Makinson is adjudged to have palmed a high kick forward and Lance Hohaia is caught offside. However, it looked like a Wigan hand that touched it down. Anyway, penalty to Wigan, they spread it wide and the Warriors are bundled into touch.

First little skirmish of the match as St Helens' Joe Greenwood tackles Joe Burgess high and Kyle Amor squares up to the Wigan youngster. Nothing in that - let's get on with it, chaps.

I was about to mention that St Helens are without several half-back options today, including Travis Burns, who suffered a horrible facial injury at Hull KR last week. Jordan Turner, usually a centre, is in there today alongside Lance Hohaia and his first attempt at a clearing kick results in a Wigan try.

Kevin Brown
Widnes Vikings captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"We said the kicking game was going to be important. Jordan Turner looked nervous, and it took a long time to get the kick away and Lee Mossop closed him down well."

Image source, Empics

What a start for Wigan! Lee Mossop charges down Jordan Turner's kick and Dom Manfredi picks up the pieces to touch down for the Warriors. Only 50-odd seconds on the watch and the hosts lead.

Teams are out. Let's get this thing on. Wigan boot it long in to Saints territory.

Kevin Brown
Widnes Vikings captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"It's bouncing in the DW Stadium already. It's going to be a cracker, this."

Image source, BBC/Twitter

Our BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentary team of Stuart Pyke and Widnes captain Kevin Brown are in position at the DW Stadium.

Listen to live radio commentary from Stuart and Kevin, BBC Radio Manchester or Radio Merseyside via the Live Coverage tab at the top of the page, where you can also find commentaries from selected games in the Championship and League One.

Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane told BBC Radio Manchester:

"It means a lot to me and my staff, just as it does to the St Helens staff - it means a lot to everybody.

"At the moment St Helens have got the upper hand having won the trophy last year. They're the team to beat, they're doing a lot better than us and it is a huge challenge.

"What I do have here is players with a lot of heart and desire to win this game."

St Helens assistant coach Sean Long told BBC Radio Merseyside:

"It's always a big game, the local derby against Wigan, and we've had some good games there in the past.

"It's going to be another tough one as they've had a good win against Wakefield and the confidence is back, I think.

"I get stick wherever I go, especially off the Wiganers - it's all friendly banter but I'm expecting a tough time."

Image source, SWPIX.COM

In contrast, St Helens have started the defence of their title in style.

They may have been thrashed by South Sydney Rabbitohs in the World Club Challenge, but under new head coach Keiron Cunningham, they began the domestic campaign with six successive wins.

A narrow defeat at Hull KR last time out ended their 100% start, but they started the eighth round of fixtures level on points with Leeds Rhinos at the top.

Image source, SWPIX.COM

It's been a tricky start to 2015 for Wigan Warriors.

Shaun Wane's side were held to a draw by 12-man Widnes Vikings in their opening game of the season and have since lost at Hull KR, Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos.

At home, though, they have been faultless. Three Super League games at the DW Stadium, three wins. Can they continue that record today?

Image source, SWPIX.COM

St Helens captain Jon Wilkin does not feature for his side today, but he has described Wigan v Saints as the "biggest derby" in rugby league.

"It's the aggression and passion the fans bring to the game and the players show on the field," Wilkin told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"It is a special day for anyone who is lucky enough to put on the red V, it is one that we're very fired up for and something we've been thinking about for a few weeks now."

Thanks Matt. Really looking forward to this one. Two of the biggest clubs in English rugby league going head-to-head. Plenty of previous between them, too.

Kick-off around 10 minutes away.

St Helens now trail Leeds at the top of Super League by two points after the win against Castleford.

Saints, of course, can haul the Rhinos back in with victory against Wigan, a game in which Phil Cartwright will bring you all the details.

Image source, Getty Images

Ben Flower's two punches on Lance Hohaia resulted in an early red card for the Wigan prop and a six-month suspension - the longest ban in Super League history.

Head coach Shaun Wane says we can expect Flower to return to action against Warrington on 16 April.

Of course, the last time these two rivals met was in the Grand Final last October.

St Helens ended an eight-year wait for a Super League title, winning 14-6 at Old Trafford, but the biggest talking point came in the opening seconds of the match...

Image source, Getty Images

Now then, over to the DW Stadium...