On this day: Wigan Warriors crowned 1998 Super League champions

The Wigan team wins the Inaugural Grand Final of the JJB Super League against Leeds at Old Trafford in Manchester

1996 marked the 102nd season of top-level rugby league and the first of the summer era, but it wasn’t until two years later a league championship was to be decided by a play-off format for the first time since the 1970s.

Wigan Warriors era of dominance predicted by Channel 4 punditry duo

The first staging saw a crowd of 43,533 at Old Trafford.

Jason Robinson scored Wigan’s only try after a dominant solo effort, winning the prestigious Harry Sunderland Trophy, while sporting icon and then-captain Andy Farrell kicked three goals, including his last effort on the full-time hooter.

Richie Blackmore crossed for opposition Leeds’ only points, with the likes of Iestyn Harris, Francis Cummins, Daryl Powell, Adrian Morley and the late Terry Newton featuring for the Rhinos.

Current chief executive Kris Radlinski featured at full-back alongside greats such as Henry Paul, Gary Connolly, Lee Gilmour, Terry O’Connor, and Mick Cassidy.