Good Friday derby: Head coaches Matt Peet and Paul Rowley receive same message ahead of St Helens vs Wigan Warriors | Rugby League News

For St Helens head coach Paul Rowley and Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet there has been one simple message delivered to them by fans: Beat ‘that lot’ on Good Friday.

The grudge match between two Super League giants on the same day every year always makes for tasty viewing, iconic names such as Andy Farrell, Paul Sculthorpe, Sean Long, Sean O’Loughlin, Liam Farrell, Paul Wellens and Sam Tomkins all having starring roles over the years in what is always a derby match to remember.

It is a contest in which homegrown talent is at the forefront, with the fans at fever pitch as their rivals from just over the hill descend on their town.

That is why there is a simple message from the fans to their teams. Of course, they want to win trophies. Of course, they would love to beat everyone.

But, if you are going to win one match all season, win this one.

Rowley is heading into just his seventh Super League match in charge of Saints but knew from his first day that this clash was one to circle in the calendar. He was made aware as soon as his name was signed on the dotted lin.

“I am obviously looking forward to it,” Rowley said. “I think joining St Helens, it became clear immediately that this meant everything to the public.

“I am sure the day I signed, I think the walking out of the stadium I bumped into a couple of fans. You can imagine the first comments were ‘just whatever you do, make sure you win the game against Wigan’.

“So I understand the importance of it to our club, to the community. It is exciting because we’ve got two clubs with great respect for one another but it’s safe to say there’s a healthy rivalry and obviously the full house is going to add all the ingredients.”

This is Peet’s fifth season in charge of the Warriors and as a Wigan native, he is all too aware of what is expected from his side on Friday afternoon.

“I have had similar messages ever since I stepped into the role, I think. Both of us are from the area, you have seen enough of these games over the years, enjoyed them as spectators,” Peet said.

“Then to be involved at the coalface, there is excitement and it is a privilege to be involved with them.

“As Paul (Rowley) mentioned, I think the rivalry is 100 per cent born out of respect because you know that the other team do a great job on the field, off the field. You know that they’re supported by genuinely good people who know the game.”

Rowley: My whole team is injured! | Peet: This match is all about the youth!

It is an intriguing Good Friday clash on the horizon in 2026 given the context of how the season has unfolded so far.

Saints have a raft of injuries, with double figures of their squad out of action including star names Jack Welsby, Matty Lees and Alex Walmsley. Despite those injuries, they had been battling to wins until they suffered a disastrous 52-10 loss to Hull KR last time out.

After an honest appraisal with his side, particularly in regards to their attitude in that match, Rowley is looking to focus on the positives of the youngsters in his side getting an opportunity in one of the biggest games of the season.

“Well, pretty much all of my team is injured but we will put 17 players out on the field,” Rowley added.

“From our point of view, there is a lot of positives to (the youngsters getting to play).

“Obviously one for themselves, they get the opportunity to take part in a fantastic occasion and get that big game feeling which will hopefully set them in good stead for bigger and better things to come in the future when we are on the big stages again. That’s for them.

“For us as a club then, it is giving them valuable game time and again experience for the future of the club. They are going to be the mainstay and so they are learning lessons all the time. Some are tough, some are good.

“Either way, whichever way you look at it, they are valuable and they will be better for it. It’s exciting for them and exciting for us as well.”

Meanwhile, Wigan were unbeaten until, in the same round as St Helens’ drubbing by the Robins, they suffered a shock loss to Huddersfield Giants.

Peet himself will also be relying on some young talent in the game, including Noah Hodkinson who looks set for just his third Super League start at the age of 20.

For Peet, that is what these games are all about.

“We have all seen enough of these games over the years to know the intensity of it,” Peet said.

“Some of these lads will get big moments. Eighteen months, two years ago, it was Junior Nsemba and Zack Eckersley and Brad O’Neill. Now it’s Harry Robertson, Owen Dagnall, Jack Farrimond, and Noah Hodkinson.

“For me, that’s what it’s all about. I think the lads will turn up and they know they’ve got a responsibility to play well.

“Just a few years ago, there was an academy Grand Final down here at St Helens. It will be amazing to see how many players who played in both teams in that will be playing.”

2026 Super League – key dates and what to look out for

• Rivals Round: April 3-April 5
• Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
• Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
• 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+