He played in two Challenge Cup Finals for his hometown club Saints before casting his legacy as a key member of the all-conquering Wigan side of the early 90s.

Since hanging up his well-travelled boots, he has watched as the Knowsley Road outfit have taken over his adopted home's stature as the heavyweights of British rugby league.

And he has dismissed suggestions the Warriors will be catching their arch-rivals at a good time in the wake of Saints' Challenge Cup celebrations.

Now a definite Wigan fan, Connolly hopes Brian Noble's side can upset the odds in this Friday's final game of the Super League regular season.

But the former Lance Todd Trophy winner warned: "The Saints players are professionals. They know how to prepare well – I don't think Wembley will hinder them.

"Obviously winning the Cup is a big thing and the players will have let their hair down, but it won't be a factor for them. They're professionals."

If Wigan win, Saints could be toppled from the top spot in the league ladder if Leeds have a comfortable victory at Wakefield – another reason Connolly thinks Saints will be treating this match deadly seriously.

But he offered hope to the Warriors' army of fans, insisting Noble's side have got the capabilities of beating their bogey-side who have won 11 of their last 12 derbies.

"They are going pretty well and between them and Leeds, they're the two teams to beat," said Connolly, who first played in a Cup final for Saints aged 17 against Wigan.

Saints recorded their third straight Challenge Cup Final triumph on Saturday in front of 82,000 fans at Wembley, coming from behind to beat Hull FC 28-16.

"I think they've got a long way to go before they can emulate what Wigan did – eight Challenge Cups in a row, I don't think they or anyone will ever do that," said Connolly.

See the Wigan Observer for the full article ...