Morgan Knowles kicks in to goal on the turnover as St Helens try to force a quickfire response.

None of his team-mates can work onto it, however, as it goes dead.

Sort of sums up Saints' half so far, really.

St Helens look stunned. Wigan have stormed out of the blocks in this first half and they're short of answers.

Joe Batchelor's yellow card hasn't helped matter. It took Wigan 60 seconds to make their advantage count.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC One

We spoke about the St Helens defence against the Wigan attack and which would come out on top.

At the minute it's the Cherry and Whites and their fluent attacking play. When they get an opportunity they are taking it.

Wow!

St Helens spill the ball virtually on the touchline after winning another set of six and Bevan French pounces and runs pretty much the length of the field.

It takes a tremendous intervention from Jack Welsby to thwart his efforts about five metres away from touching down for what would have been a stunning try.

Joe Batchelor is sent to the bin in the process for holding down in the midst of the action meaning Saints are temporarily down to 12.

Zero tackle as St Helens begin a set on halfway.

Jack Welsby works the ball to Tommy Makinson on the wing but he can't find a way through a resilient Wigan back line.

They cross the ball to Morgan Knowles in front of the sticks and Wigan win it back on the turnover but immediately knock on from the restart.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC One

We talk a lot about this great St Helens defence but Wigan have started in such a manner that they are really rushing and taking space from St Helens and making their attack look a little disjointed.

Konrad Hurrell leads a sensational spell of possession for St Helens as he dominates the show down the right wing.

He almost runs in at the corner as Wigan miss the chance to dispossess Saints, but Jai Field stops him in his tracks with a timely tackle and he spills the ball in the process.

A let off for Wigan. St Helens look up for this.

Tom Webster-Deakin: What a try!

James Whaling: Brilliant finish by Liam Marshall. We’ve almost become used to those athletic tries on the corner post but it doesn’t make them any less impressive. Supreme skill. Think the match needed a fast start by Wigan. Game on.

A high quality start here. Who'd have said St Helens' retention of the Challenge Cup would come under threat within the first few minutes of this game?

Saints break for a set deep in Wigan territory and they work it wide to Tommy Makinson who cuts inside.

Jonny Lomax and Morgan Knowles work onto it but Wigan successfully hold them up inside their own 10 and turn it over.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC One

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

So clinical! One mistake, their first opportunity and a brilliant finish from Marshall.

He dives early, a brilliant Wigan try.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC One

Wigan and Saints is a gear-change in intensity. The collisions are more intense, the work is more intense and the ball is in play so it all creates a highly-intense fixture.

And the rewards are so great.

Wigan get us under way in today's first of the men's Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Let's hope for a good game.

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC One

Wigan are a form team and they're coming after Saints today.

Here come the players.

The second of today's games in the 2022 Challenge Cup triple header is about to get under way.

Come on then, how do you see this derby panning out?

A lovely early summer's day at Elland Road, this one's shaping up to be an exciting tie.

Let us know your thoughts using #bbcrl on social media.

Image source, PA Media

Did you miss the first match of today's Challenge Cup triple header?

Well you missed a cracker as St Helens retained their Women's Challenge Cup title with a thrilling victory against Leeds Rhinos at Elland Road.

You can read the report by clicking here.

Here's how Wigan line up to face St Helens in today's Challenge Cup semi-final at Elland Road.

Joe Shorrocks comes in for Sam Halsall.

Big news for St Helens as Jonny Lomax is passed fit to start despite suffering a bicep injury against Salford.

Dave Woods
BBC Rugby League correspondent

Image source, PA Media

The absence of St Helens' star stand-off Jonny Lomax could have "tipped the scales" in Wigan's favour in their Challenge Cup semi-final derby, according to Wales coach John Kear.

The England half suffered a bicep injury in Saints' recent Super League match against Salford, but he starts for the reigning champions today.

Saints are already without first choice scrum-half and long-term absentee Lewis Dodd. And utility back Will Hopoate has been ruled out with a hamstring problem.

You can read more from the BBC's rugby league correspondent Dave Woods here.