Jay Freeman
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

For all the talk pre-match about the attendance given Catalans have made it to Old Trafford, I'm impressed with how many fans they've brought.

They are dwarfed by Wigan's supporters which has certainly been evident during the build-up.

But there seems to be a decent number who've made the trip from Perpignan.

The trophy is out on the pitch and the pre-match anticipation is building with a rendition of Jerusalem.

Image source, SWPix.con

Wigan back Bevan French was named the 2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel on Tuesday following a stellar season.

After featuring at winger and full-back, the 27-year-old Australian was moved the stand-off and has responded with 17 tries and 32 assists as he sets the tempo for Warriors.

"You don’t really set out to win these individual awards when you come into a team sport," French told BBC Sport.

"But it’s special, and I guess my name is etched in history now."

French was also named in the Super League Dream Team - alongside team-mates Jake Wardle and Liam Farrell - but he is well aware that titles are more important than personal awards.

"All your focus is on a Grand Final all year and awards like this don’t really cross your mind," he added.

"We have spoken about the occasion and what it means to us but both teams have a lot to play for. Sam Tomkins has had such a great career and will definitely want to go out on top."

Josh Charnley
Leigh winger on BBC Radio Manchester

The weather could play a part, especially with the X-factor players Wigan have got.

There's been blue skies overhead for the last half-hour but if you look over the Stretford End there is a big black cloud coming and I am guessing there is more rain on the way which might play a part in the game.

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

"Steve McNamara changed the culture, brought French players through along the way and it looks like a tight-knit team at the moment.

"Going to the Grand Final once and seeing it and feeling it gives you great experience for the next time.

"Going back, the majority of these players played last time and will have that muscle memory in them.

"This time there won’t be any novelty. They will be going there to win, not to take pictures of Old Trafford.

"It will be go there, get the job done, and send the guys who are leaving and retiring off with a medal in the bag."

Image source, SWPix.com

On the opposite bench to Matty Peet is a man who has transformed the fortunes of France's Super League outfit.

Steve McNamara saved Catalans Dragons from relegation soon after his appointment in 2017, winning the Million Pound Game against Leigh.

He has since changed the culture of the club, and the Dragons became the first non-English side to lift the Challenge Cup in 2018.

The signing of Sam Tomkins in 2019 played its part in hardening attitudes and building a winning mentality, with the League Leaders' Shield secured in 2021.

Catalans narrowly lost the Grand Final that year to St Helens, who picked up what was the third of their four consecutive titles.

Back at Old Trafford two years on and McNamara could now bring the Super League trophy back to Perpignan.

Brian Noble
Former Wigan coach on BBC 5 Live Rugby League

“I think these are the two best and most exciting teams in the Grand Final. There are star performers and game-breakers right across the board on both sides.

"Clearly Sam Tomkins’ story is going to headline and be the focus but you have two intelligent coaches as well going head-to-head.

"I slightly fancy Catalans.

"One of their mission statements will be they want to be one of the sides to win this competition, to make a name for themselves and put a blueprint out – this is French rugby league and this is what we stand for.

"Wigan have to perform and with the superstars they have got – Jai Field, Bevan French, Abbas Miski and Liam Marshall – it could well end up that the Harry Smith-French axis against Mitchell Pearce and Tyrone May could be the deciding factor here."

Image source, SWPix.com

If Wigan need any extra motivation, then the imminent exit of chairman and co-owner Ian Lenagan provides it.

Lenagan has been in control of Warriors since buying the club from Dave Whelan in 2007 but will step down from his roles next month.

Since he took charge, the club has won four Grand Finals, four League Leaders' Shields, three Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge.

"Ian Lenagan turned this club around 16 years ago and has invested so much, not just financially but also his time and support," Wigan back Bevan French told BBC Sport.

"He was really eager to turn the club around and get it on the right path.

"His service has not gone unnoticed in the Wigan community."

Image source, PA Media

Tonight could continue a remarkable personal journey for Wigan head coach Matt Peet.

He first joined the club as an unpaid academy coach and then had roles with the under-18s and under-20s before serving as head of youth performance.

After returning from a stint with rugby union club Sale, he was appointed as first-team boss by the Warriors two years ago.

He may have had his credentials questioned by some in the game after taking charge as an unknown quantity, but the 39-year-old guided the side to the Challenge Cup last year and followed that up with the League Leaders' Shield.

A Grand Final victory would raise Peet into the pantheon of Wigan's great names.

Plenty in rugby league have paid tribute to Sam Tomkins ahead of his final outing.

Wigan Warriors' head coach Matt Peet and Catalans Dragons captain Ben Garcia have been speaking about "one of the all-time greats".

Image source, PA Media

After a stellar career which has included three Grand Final wins with Wigan, being named Man of Steel twice, playing in the NRL and captaining England, Sam Tomkins plays his final game of rugby league this evening.

The Catalans Dragons full-back said he dreamt of finishing his career against his former club in the final, and he has got his wish.

"I couldn't have written this," the 34-year-old told BBC North West Tonight.

"If somebody had asked me how I would like to finish my time playing rugby league this would be it, playing Wigan in a Grand Final. I'm very lucky and I don't take it for granted."

For Tomkins, the end goal is simple. Win in Manchester and take an historic first title back to the south of France.

"The fairytale isn't playing, it's winning," Tomkins added.

"It's massive for the club. We're unique in the fact that we're the only French team. We're young as a club, only 17 years old, compared to Wigan who are 150 years old."

Red will be the dominant colour in the stands at Old Trafford, with the Cherry and Whites of Wigan up against the red and flashes of yellow from Catalans fans.

It may not be a sell-out because of a smaller travelling contingent from France - but there will certainly be a passionate atmosphere.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Jay Freeman
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

If I'm being honest, I can't call how this Grand Final will play out.

I'm bracing myself for a low-scoring affair, edgy, and with golden point possibly on the cards.

Given how these two sides have battered their way to the season's end, giving very little away over the course of a bruising season, you wouldn't expect one side to dominate the 80 minutes, would you?

I think we could be in for a tight Grand Final. Both teams will need to be on top of their game.

Catalans coach Steve McNamara sticks with the squad which edged past St Helens in their semi-final last Friday.

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

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

Time for the team news from Old Trafford.

Wigan boss Matty Peet names the same starting 13 from their semi-final win over Hull KR.

The only change to the squad sees Ethan Havard replace Harvie Hill among the interchanges.

Prop Havard returns for the first time since July after recovering from a hamstring injury.

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

Interchanges: Powell, Isa, Mago, Havard.

Image source, SWpix.com

After finishing first and second in the table respectively, Wigan and Catalans both had two weeks to prepare for their semi-final ties.

First up were the Dragons, who hosted defending champions St Helens at a fervent Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan last Friday.

It was a nerve-shredding and physical affair punctuated by defensive savagery from the outset.

But in the end veteran full-back Sam Tomkins came up with the clutch play at the death, dummying a drop-goal and weaving through the Saints lines to give the hosts a 12-6 victory.

The next day Wigan blew Hull KR away in the early stages of their tie, easing to a 42-12 win as winger Liam Marshall scored a hat-trick.

Image source, SWPix.com

This is Wigan's 12th Grand Final appearance and their first since 2020, when the Warriors were beaten 8-4 by St Helens at the KCOM Stadium in Hull.

Wigan are chasing their first Super League title since 2018, when Sam Tomkins was part of the side which saw off Warrington at Old Trafford.

Wigan are the most decorated rugby league side in the land with 22 domestic league titles - but only five of those have come in the Super League era.

Since the competition's advent in 1996, Saints have lifted the trophy 10 times.

Catalans didn't enter Super League until 2006 but won the Challenge Cup in 2018 and picked up the League Leaders' Shield in 2021.

The Dragons narrowly lost the final to St Helens that year, going down 12-10.

Two years on, can Steve McNamara triumph and take the league title outside of the north of England for the first time?

You've still got time to read Jay Freeman's preview of tonight's match.

After a season which started back in mid-February, tonight the 2023 Super League champions will be anointed in Manchester.

Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons, the two best teams in the competition this year, meet in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Can Wigan add the trophy to their League Leaders' Shield or will Catalans become the first French winners of Super League - and just the fifth club to etch their name on the silverware?

Throw in Dragons full-back Sam Tomkins ending his career against his former side and several other storylines and it could be an evening to remember for several different reasons.

There was a double rainbow over Old Trafford earlier but only one pot of gold at the evening for both of these teams. Kick-off is 45 minutes away. Let's get into it.

Image source, PA Media