Hull KR 34 Wigan Warriors 18

Greg Minikin led the rout as his hat-trick helped Hull KR in a 32-12 lead by the 50th minute.

And though a Jackson Hastings try briefly hinted at an impossible fightback, they ultimately lurched to their first loss since before lockdown in March.

When Wigan lose, they are rarely battered. Indeed, they hadn’t conceded more than 22-points in a game this season.

But at Headingley they looked frustrated and flustered, out-fought and out-thought. For far too long, they simply had no match to the energy and enterprise of their hugely-entertaining opponents - and nor did they have any excuses.

Of course they could point to some key absentees - Thomas Leuluai, George Burgess, Liam Marshall, Morgan Smithies, Joe Bullock and Ethan Havard were among those to drop out of the side which beat Castleford 30-22 on Saturday, either through injury, suspension or selection.

But their line-up should still have had enough fire-power, Test caps, winners’ medals and individual honours to get the job done.

Indeed, many of their most dependable players just couldn’t get going, a lack of go-forward and a high number of errors limiting their attacking opportunities.

As expected, Oliver Gildart was included for the first time in 10 months following shoulder surgery, while Oli Partington made his first appearance since the restart.

There was one small surprise, with Joe Burgess dropped from the wing spot - after one week back - with centre Jake Bibby switched to the edge instead.

In the fourth minute, Bibby appeared to have justified that decision when he crossed, only for a try to be ruled out for a forward pass. Wigan, though, didn’t have long to wait to take the lead as Sam Powell ultimately profited from an electric break from Bevan French.

Adrian Lam had warned his players in the build-up not to let complacency creep into the preparations for this top v bottom match-up, pointing out KR were capable of hurting sides when in full stride.

And Tony Smith’s Robins proved as much with a three try blitz inside six minutes midway through the opening half.

Elliot Minchella scored two of them with Minikin also sweeping over, with the fabulously-named full-back Will Dagger heavily involved.

Stung at 16-6 down, Wigan regained their composure and after marching down field, Harry Smith’s sharp step prised open a route to the line - even there was a suggestion of obstruction from French in the build-up.

Hardaker arrowed the tricky conversion to cut the margin to four points of an exciting, fast-paced spectacle.

But just 30 seconds before half-time, KR reimposed themselves with another try down Wigan’s stretched right, with Minikin strolling over for a try Dagger bettered to give them a 10 point lead.

If the interval was a chance for Lam to right some wrongs - and possibly read the riot act to a couple - they started the second half as they had finished the first.

Forward Dean Hadley powered them ahead and then Minikin wrapped up his hat-trick in the 46th minute to make it 32-12.

The game flatlined for a spell, with KR aware they had the game won and Wigan incapable of conjuring anything which looked remotely like their best form.

KR finished the match with 12 men after Shaun Kenny-Dowall was sinbinned for a professional foul, and Hastings immediately made the most of the numerical advantage to drive over for a try.

With Hardaker converting, it narrowed the margin to 14 points with nine minutes remaining. But further opportunities were squandered - French one of those guilty for taking a wrong option - and when young hooker Amir Bourouh was penalised for a shoulder charge, Jordan Abdull opened up a 16 point lead.

Hull KR: Dagger; Ryan, K.Dowall, Linnett, Minikin; Abdull, Lewis; Hauraki, Litten, Lawler, Storton, Hadley, Minchella. Subs: Keyes, Murray, Peteru, Livett.

Wigan: French; Manfredi, Hardaker, Gildart, Bibby; Hastings, Smith; Byrne, Powell, Flower, Farrell, Isa, Partington. Subs: Bourouh, Clark, Greenwood, Jo. Shorrocks.