Wigan the team to beat, says Brown

The 32-year-old, who began his professional rugby league career at Wigan, took a pay-cut to move from Widnes to the Wolves in the hope of landing an elusive trophy.

But he reckons they have to outclass his old side to have any chance of Challenge Cup success or a maiden Grand Final win.

“Wigan are obviously the champions, they’re the ones everyone wants to beat,” Brown said.

“As long as (Shaun) Wane is there, they’re going to fight for everything.

“He was coaching while I was in the first team, so I’ve seen how good of a coach he was then even though I’ve never actually worked with him.” Brown, who played for England in last year’s Four Nations, says he so chose not to watch last October’s Grand Final between Wigan and Warrington.

“I get jealous when I see people lifting trophies,” he said. “It makes me sick.

“I’m not sure what I was doing on Grand Final day, but I know I wasn’t in front of the TV watching it!”

Wigan face Warrington for the first time on March 9, and the two rivals also meet at the Magic Weekend in Newcastle in May.

Brown is a doubt for Warrington’s opener at Catalans. Their second game is the World Club Series match against Brisbane.

He added: “When I was young I was watching Denis Betts, Martin Offiah and all of them play in these games, so I’m looking forward to it.”