Wigan Warriors v St Helens: What annual Good Friday derby means to those involved

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.”