St Helens RFC - Rivalries - Wigan Warriors

Wigan Warriors

There is a strong rivalry between St Helens and Wigan; the local derby between the two clubs has been traditionally regarded as the biggest in British rugby league, as well as one of the oldest in world rugby league. Both being founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, the derby has been played since 1895, making it amongst the most historical derbys in both British and global rugby league. Remarkably, the first encounter between the fierce rivals ended in a 0—0 draw at Knowsley Road, putting scorelines between the two such as a Saints win by 41 to 26 in Super League I into context. The games were traditionally played on Boxing Day, however were moved to Good Friday, during the busy Easter period in rugby league. More recently, the game was even played on Maundy Thursday in Super League. In all meetings between the two clubs since Super League's inception in 1996 there have been 59 games—Saints winning 26, losing 30 and drawing only 4 times. In all league encounters between the two since 1895, there have been 235 games, Saints winning 83, drawing 11 and losing 141. All competitive games, i.e. cup and league games combined, show that in the 366 games played, St Helens have won 141, there have been 19 draws and Wigan have won 206. They too have contested no fewer than 6 Challenge Cup Finals, and have met in two Super League Grand Finals; St Helens winning 29-16 in 2000, with Wigan gaining revenge in 2010, with a 22-10 win. Wigan and St Helens have also met in 4 Premiership finals, Wigan winning 3, St Helens once, 3 Lancashire Cup finals, St Helens winning two, Wigan one, and one Floodlit Trophy final in 1968, Wigan winning 7—4. The two have traditionally met each other in the Magic Weekend too. St Helens boast the better record, winning two and losing one (at Murrayfield), with one draw in four ties. St Helens also boast by far the greatest winning margin and the highest game score between the two in competitive football; a 75—0 win in a 2005 Challenge Cup Round 6 game. Wigan's biggest win was a 65—12 win in Super League II, 1997.