Shaun Wane dismisses criticism from 'irrelevant' Phil Clarke

During seven years as head coach of Wigan, Wane won three Super League titles, one Challenge Cup, one World Club Challenge and a league leaders' shield - and also reached three other finals.

Sky Sports pundit Clarke, though, greeted his February appointment by suggesting his early success was owing to Michael Maguire's arrival in 2010 and, later on, down to Wigan's spending power.

"I wouldn't have given him the job," said Clarke, a former Great Britain captain, on Sky Sports.

"I think he was lucky to take over from Michael Maguire, a transformational coach, who really set Wigan up to do that. He was lucky. Wigan are a well-resourced club and I think the last time they won the Grand Final they'd spent more on players than any other and generally the more expensive team buys success and wins a Grand Final."

Asked about the comments, Wane dismissed Clarke's opinion.

"He is irrelevant to me," he said.

"I didn't see his comments, but he's irrelevant.

"There are more important things in the world and I'm not concerned about him."

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