Sean O'Loughlin's career has been unprecedented, says Andy Farrell

Adrian Lam – a former team-mate of Farrell – has already predicted the Grand Final will be the most intense game of the season.

A lot of the focus will inevitably be on O’Loughlin, who is hanging up his boots after this game to take up a coaching role. And his brother-in-law Farrell hailed his achievements with Wigan, saying: “You dream of playing for your hometown club and being a one club man, and 19 years at the top – in the professional era – is unprecedented I believe.

“There’s no better way to finish a career off than against the arch rivals in a Grand Final. Any final between Wigan and St Helens – any friendly, Wigan-St Helens – is fantastic to watch, and we’ll be glued to the TV.”

Farrell says his wife, Colleen – O’Loughlin’s older sister – still gets nervous watching the 38-year-old play.

“Colleen is horrendous, screaming, ‘Get off him’ – he’s still her little brother,” Ireland RU coach Farrell told Sky Sports (see embedded video).

“She’ll be as nervous as anyone.”

Wigan and St Helens each managed to fit in just 17 of their scheduled 29 fixtures in a regular season punctuated by last-minute re-arrangements and finally cancellations but few would disagree that the best two teams are left to fight it out for the title.

“It’s a gold medal for Super League to have two big clubs playing each other in the Grand Final,” Lam said.

“It’s been a difficult year. The group have been together for over 12 months preparing for this moment.

“It’s been a long time coming but I think the game will be as good as we’ve seen all season.

“We played each other three weeks ago and I thought it was probably the best game in both the NRL and Super League over the last 12 months. I can’t see it being any different on Friday night, it will be the highlight of the season. I think it’s been a whole-hearted effort by everyone in Super League to make sure we get to the finishing line.”