Derby rivalry intensifies with every year, insists Warriors ace

Liam Farrell admits the Wigan-St Helens derbies get even more special as the years go by.
Liam FarrellLiam Farrell
Liam Farrell

And the Wigan-born second row – currently enjoying his testimonial year at the DW Stadium – says the feeling of victory would be even sweeter than his first, more than a decade on.

“Definitely...it gets even more so as the years go by,” he acknowledged.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“You’ve local lads from Wigan, local lads from St Helens, mixed with a few Aussies and Kiwis and it makes for a really exciting game.

“I just think the intensity of the games are different from every other game you play in.

“The only thing we’re probably missing at the moment is 20,000 fans, which add to the occasion.

“They’re obviously not there at the moment, and we have to provide our own intensity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But the boys have been really good at that for the last couple of months.”

Farrell is one of several Wiganers in the visitors team, who will make the short trip to the Totally Wicked Stadium looking to arrest a five-game winless streak in this fixture.

Against the old enemy – and against so many familiar faces – Farrell says there’ll be no shortage of motivation as first plays second.

“The two towns are obviously just around the corner from each other, and there’s been a natural rivalry over the years,” added the 30-year-old.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But it never spills over to hatred as far as I’m concerned.

“It’s just a rivalry I’ve enjoyed since I was a lad playing for St Pats against Blackbrook.

“There’s a few lads in their side who are from Wigan – like Jonny Lomax and Tommy Makinson – and there’s a lot of friendships involved.

“But on derby day there’s none of that, it’s only about the 80 minutes on the field.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With skipper Sean O’Loughlin again missing, along with Dom Manfredi, Farrell will be one of the leaders of a Wigan side who would go top of the table with a win.

And coach Adrian Lam is full of admiration for an unsung hero who perhaps hasn’t always received the recognition he’s warranted on the biggest stage.

“He’s been one of our most consistent players week in, week out, and potentially in the top couple of backrowers in the competition,” enthused the Warriors chief.

“When you get to know Faz, and see him every day, he is the ultimate professional.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He leaves no stone unturned, he’s in on his day off to do his extras, he’s unbelievable.

“And he gives himself the best opportunity possible to be successful over a long period of time.

“We’ve got a lot of great young players at this club, and he’s a real mentor for them.

“To have someone like that at the top of the tree, for them to aspire to...there’s no better person.”

Special offer: Get 15% off our digital sports subscription - read unlimited Wigan Athletic and Wigan Warriors stories for less than 60p a week! Click here

Related topics: