Another good kick-chase by Wigan on the last tackle, but Sam Tomkins draws a penalty from Liam Marshal as the Warriors man touches him in the air.

Catalans get into the Warriors half but there's another infringement and get a set restart.

The Dragons are having the better of things at the moment.

Wigan look to get a let-off as the officials rule the ball bounced dead before being touched by the covering Warriors defender.

The in-goal areas are short at Old Trafford.

Image source, PA Media

The first line break is made by Tyrone May as the Catalans stand-off breaks through the Wigan defence and kicks towards the line on the fourth tackle.

The ball goes dead but the officials will need to look where it bounced before going out...

Kevin Brown
Former Wigan and England half-back on BBC Radio 5 Live

This aggression and physicality from Catalans is not going to let up.

Manu Ma'u will come on and potentially even raise the stakes.

There is a break in play as Catalans second row Paul Seguier has taken a knock to the head a tackle.

He's bleeding from his forehead and will have to go off for a head injury assessment.

Manu Ma'u will come onto replace him.

A first error by Wigan follows as Matt Whitely pressures Brad O'Neill into a knock-on at dummy half.

Catalans advance but the pass on the fifth tackle hits the back of Sam Tomkins.

The full-back gathers the loose ball and puts in a cross-kick but it drifts over Tom Davies and out of play.

A few errors creeping into the game.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC Radio 5 live

It was a different kick to what we have witnessed from both sides earlier.

Both side had gone high, trying to hit the ball receiver as he fielded the ball.

That one from Bevan French pounded the grass and made Sam Tomkins scurry back to his own line.

The Dragons move into the Wigan half but then there's a mix-up between Mike McMeeken and Michael McIlorum as the prop lays the ball back and there's a knock-on.

Wigan get the first scrum of the game.

Jack Dearden
BBC Radio Manchester

Catalans have made a really confident start here.

They are a big pack to control.

No quarter is being asked and none is being given here.

Image source, PA Media

Wigan respond as a great kick by Bevan French on the fourth tackle pins Sam Tomkins back about five metres from his own line.

The early stages are a bit of an arm wrestle as anticipated.

But a repeat set of six should help the Catalans get out of danger here...

The Dragons show a bit more adventure as they get into the Wigan half and Sam Tomkins puts in a testing kick which tests Abbas Miski in the corner.

Wigan do enough to hold onto the ball but then a couple of huge Catalans hits go in on the first two tackles of their defensive set.

Kyle Utterson: If it's a tight game, which I hope it is, Catalans by 4. However, with the way Wigan have been playing lately it could be a blow out - Warriors win by about 20. Crucial Catalans get off to a good start.

John Kear
Wales coach on BBC Radio 5 live

At the minute the momentum is with the Cherry and Whites, but it is slightly turning.

It's understandably tight in the opening stages.

Both go through their first set of six comfortably but Catalans winger Tom Davies is under a bit of pressure as he gathers a Harry Smith kick after Wigan's first set.

Good kick-chase by the Warriors.

Kevin Brown
Former Wigan and England half-back on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's going to be a brutal start.

The first thing that hits you is the atmosphere, the amount of people that are packed in here today.

A few people expected a quiet trip from France, but they have turned up in numbers.

The start is going to be insane.

The 2023 Super League Grand Final is under way at Old Trafford as Wigan kick off.

The rain has relented for now.

Will it be Wigan's first title since 2018 or can Catalans clinch a maiden trophy and give Sam Tomkins the perfect send-off?

Liam Moore is the referee for this one - in charge of his third consecutive Grand Final - with Chris Kendall in the video refs' room.

Image source, Getty Images

Only points difference separated these sides in the Super League standings this season, with both clubs remarkably scoring 722 points over the course of 27 matches.

But Wigan's superior defensive record was enough to seal the League Leaders' Shield, conceding 360 points to the Dragons' 420.

The French club had the better of the three meetings this season, winning 18-10 in Wigan and 46-22 when the sides met at the Magic Weekend - but the Warriors triumphed 34-0 in south-west France in August.

But those results won't count for much in a one-off match under the lights at Old Trafford.

Kick-off in the Grand Final is imminent.

Alongside our text updates, you've got a choice of radio commentary to listen to from Old Trafford.

Leigh winger Josh Charnley, Warrington back Stefan Ratchford and Trevor Hunt are alongside Jack Dearden on BBC Radio Manchester.

On BBC Radio 5 Live, former Wigan and England half-back Kevin Brown and Wales coach John Kear join Matt Newsum on the mic.

With under five minutes to kick-off, here's a reminder of the teams if you need one. Both starting line-ups are unchanged from the semi-finals.

Wigan: Field; Miski, King, Wardle, Marshall; French, Smith; Dupree, O'Neill, Ellis, Pearce-Paul, Farrell (capt), Smithies.

Interchanges: Powell, Isa, Mago, Havard.

Catalans: Tomkins; Davies, Keighran, Ikuvalu, Johnstone; May, Pearce; Taukeiaho, McIlorum, McMeeken, Seguier, Whitley, Garcia (capt).

Interchanges: Mourgue, Bousquet, Navarrete, Ma'u.

So then, how is this one going to pan out this evening?

Will Wigan wrestle away the silverware from arch-rivals St Helens, who have held it for four years? Or will a brand new name be added to the trophy in the form of Catalans Dragons?

We'd love to hear your thoughts as we go through the evening. Get in touch using #bbcrl on X, formerly Twitter, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)