Nerves & excitement before Wigan v Saints derby

Wigan Warriors welcome St Helens to the Brick Community Stadium on Good Friday as Super League's rivals round continues for another year.

The last time these two faced each other, Wigan scored 20 unanswered points at last season's Magic Weekend in August.

That victory was the first of eight in a row which sent Matt Peet's Warriors on the way to a historic quadruple.

But what does the Good Friday derby mean to those involved and is this the chance for Wigan to push on for another successful season? Or can St Helens force a memorable win on away ground and reboot their campaign?

BBC Sport takes a look at what's at stake on Friday.

St Helens beat Wigan Warriors 12-4 at home in last season's Good Friday derby fixture

One of the fiercest rivalries in English sport, those who have played in the fixture know how vital it is to seal the bragging rights and bring home two points.

Just ask Wigan half-back Harry Smith.

"I don't think it'll ever lose the feeling of adrenaline it gives you, the fear of losing and the excitement of playing in front of so many people," Smith told BBC Radio Manchester.

"It's brilliant and one of the highlight games of every year. It's not a fear like you're scared but you want to get on the right side of the result to make the fans happy and make your team-mates and yourself happy.

"It's just that bit of anxiousness to get on the right side of the result."

It is a sentiment shared by St Helens prop Alex Walmsley, who has been on the winning side at Wigan on three occasions.

"The last thing you want to do is lose on Good Friday. Especially coming to Wigan where getting a win can have the feeling of winning a final," Walmsley told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"Losing feels like losing in a final as well. It does mean that much. The normal games against Wigan are intense. But the Good Friday one has that extra feel about it. Whether that's because it's an afternoon kick-off, I'm not sure. But it definitely means more on Good Friday."

Bringing nerves, excitement and tradition

Wigan's most recent win against St Helens set off a run of eight wins in a row to close out the 2024 season

St Helens boss Paul Wellens was the victorious head coach the last time these two sides met in a Good Friday fixture as his side ran out 12-4 winners at the Totally Wicked Stadium last March.

But the significance of the game and its place in the calendar means that there is added anxiety.

"I'm nervous but excited and the two go hand in hand with these sorts of big games," Wellens told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I've said to the players, the opportunity to play in these games means we're very privileged. Particularly a Good Friday Wigan v Saints game, there's always going to be an extra significance to it."

Wigan are neck and neck with Saints in the table, having both recorded five wins from seven Super League games.

Coming into this campaign off the back of winning a historic quadruple last term, Wigan are now growing into the season and will welcome their rivals off the back of beating league leaders Hull KR last week.

St Helens, on the other hand, have had an inconsistent start in comparison despite how evenly matched they are, but Wigan boss Matt Peet thinks they will be tough opponents.

"We're at similar points in the league so I think they're doing alright. They don't leak a lot of points. They're always tough to play against. I think every team they play against would say that," Peet told BBC Radio Manchester.

"They've got some of the best players in the competition and best English players available so I see them as a top team."