Super League - Wigan Warriors 38-16 St Helens: Bevan French star of the show as hosts eventually rip Saints apart to cause rivals more disarray
Wigan Warriors score through Bevan French, Zach Eckersley (two), Oliver Partington (two) and Adam Keighran to leave rivals St Helens in more disarray and outside of Super League's top six play-off positions; Paul Rowley departed as Saints head coach on Thursday in surprise news
Last Updated: 25/07/26 12:08am
Bevan French proved the star of the show on his return as Wigan Warriors eventually ripped St Helens apart 38-16 in Friday's Super League, compounding Saints' woes.
St Helens, who came into this derby contest off the back of the shock news on Thursday that head coach Paul Rowley had departed with immediate effect, actually started well, taking the lead twice in the opening 15 minutes through Jack Welsby and Jacob Douglas tries.
French had scored for Wigan in between those two efforts, and the Australian then created two tries for Zach Eckersley before the break for the hosts to lead: the first try via a fizzed cut-out pass, the second off a wonderful kick-pass.
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Saints had a potential equalising try ruled out by the Video Ref in the final play of the first half, with replays proving remarkable defence from Jake Wardle had halted Harry Robertson from grounding the ball.
Instead, Wigan went into overdrive in the second half, scoring through Oliver Partington twice and the in-form Adam Keighran - French collecting two more assists, while Harry Smith also produced a sensational kick-pass for Partington's second.
St Helens had the final say through a Lewis Murphy try, but remain outside of the play-off positions and under a wealth of pressure.
Welsby: Our performances let Rowley down
St Helens' Jack Welsby told Sky Sports:
"A bit disappointed by the loss, we were right in the game at half-time.
"We just didn't start well in the second half. With everything going on, we can be proud of our efforts but ultimately this is a game we came to win. But we lost by quite a big margin in a Saints vs Wigan derby, so the overriding feeling is disappointment.
"We reacted to the news about Paul Rowley as best as we could. We found out yesterday and then did a training session and a captain's run.
"The senior boys nailed it and the younger lads didn't need an invitation to follow. Tough news to take, a lot of us are gutted and embarrassed, really, because we've let him down. There are some things to hold onto from the first half, but we've got a lot to improve on if we want to make the play-offs.
"Our performances let him down, he doesn't go on the pitch and play. I'm sure if we'd have won as many games as Wigan had, he wouldn't be getting sacked.
"We always have to look inwards before looking outwards, as a playing group particularly, so it's a good time to reflect on that this weekend.
"We've got to come together [if we want to make the play-offs]. The group's been together all year but now, more than ever, we're going to need a strong bond."
O'Carroll: I'm proud of my team | 'Saints now in strong position'
St Helens interim coach Eamon O'Carroll told Sky Sports:
"Proud. A little bit lost for words too. I asked the boys to stick together all week, give us effort and intent.
"I can't question any of them. They gave it in bucketloads. I'm really proud of the group for how they've handled this week and although it might sound daft, I think we're in a strong position now.
"We will build game-by-game. Our preparation is going to be really important. It's not just about producing that in the game, it's about how we turn up in the week.
"We've got a few busted bodies there, so we have to get them right and give the lads every opportunity to perform at the best.
"It's my job to keep us focused on the here and now and let's worry about the process.
"Let's worry about the process. The next challenge is how we turn up tomorrow and Monday, in how we turn up against York."
Peet: Elements of our performance weren't acceptable
Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet to Sky Sports:
"I'm not sure, I'm pleased with the win against our greatest rivals.
"There's elements of our performance that could be better but tonight shows how far we have come as a group. It was an important win, but we know we can be better.
"At times we didn't respect the ball and it got a little bit loose. St Helens were more desperate at certain points and that's a credit to them. They made a game of it, but fortunately we come away with two points.
"I'm talking about our processes, our standards, and the way we want to play. There's elements of tonight that we'll all agree weren't acceptable, there's reasons for that. Like I say, we've got to be better than that.
"We've got to practice hard. The lads will be aware of it when they see it back. There was a looseness in the game, I'm not sure why. It won't be me driving that, the players will want to improve."
French: I've just kept positive mindset through injury setbacks
Player of the match Bevan French told Sky Sports:
"It was great! I think I just had a sense of gratitude and appreciation.
"It's been a great year with the time that I've had off the field. But I've just tried to stay in a positive mindset. In the week leading up to it I've just been enjoying it and lucky it was against St Helens. Just appreciative.
"The young boys stepped up. We're really blessed with the youth that's coming through. It's great to be a part of this club, seeing everyone grow and become the players they want to be. It's a good place to be.
"We're just striving to be better every day, every year. We're going to have hiccups along the way, we've had plenty throughout this year and we're still here."
Castleford Tigers routed by 12-player Wakefield Trinity
Tom Johnstone and Lachlan Walmsley scored doubles as 12-player Wakefield ran in nine tries to demolish shell-shocked West Yorkshire derby rivals Castleford 52-14.
The hosts looked to be in trouble at the DIY Kitchens Stadium when they trailed 10-6 after Matty Storton's early dismissal, but they turned in a rampant display to clinch a sixth successive Super League win.
Wakefield were ahead inside 45 seconds of kick-off when Johnstone found space down the left and drew his man before slipping the ball inside to Storton to cross before Max Jowitt added the conversion.
Despite then looking like things would take a turn against Tigers when down a player, Trinity turned on the style for a big win to move them second in the standings, above Wigan on points difference.
2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford
Sky Sports will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on Sky Sports+
