Wigan Warriors 32 Toronto Wolfpack 10

The Wolfpack put up a brave fight and the scores were locked 10-10 midway through the second-half.

But a stunning long-range effort from Joe Burgess sparked a strong finish.

French's second opened up a 12-point gap and after Toronto were reduced to 12-men, Farrell crossed for a double to flatter the scoreline.

It was far from a convincing performance from Adrian Lam's side, who started clunky but improved as the game unfolded.

Still, their were bright spells even before their late flourish, they claimed their second win and for a third successive week, limited their opponents to two tries.

This was history in the making - the first meeting between these two sides - but the first-half quickly deteriorated into a snoozy affair.

Sonny Bill Williams was back home in New Zealand for the birth of his child and he wasn't the Wolfpacks' only absentee; they only had 17 fit and available players once Jon Wilkin withdrew with a knee injury before the game and minutes in, they lost his replacement James Cunningham to injury.

Still, Toronto showed further signs of improvement from their opening two Super League losses, and took a deserved lead midway through the half.

Ex-Warrior Matty Russell finished in the corner though the opportunity stemmed back to Burgess spilling a high ball. Blake Wallace was off-target with the conversion.

That score seemed to sting Wigan, who didn't as much roar into life, but at least moved from second gear to third.

They attacked the visitors' line and Harry Smith's measured grubber earned them a repeat set. Smith - who kept his spot as Sam Powell is still absent - and the recalled Joe Bullock both went close before the former darted over in the 27th minute. Zak Hardaker missed the conversion but moments later, tagged on the extras to a stylish try.

A crisp sweep to the left saw Jackson Hastings pass to Farrell, who quickly fed French on his inside to make it 10-4.

Mitch Clark, signed from Castleford via Leigh, came off the bench for his debut and though there was no further action before the whistle, there was at least a sense that Wigan had taken a loose grip of the contest.

Five minutes into the restart, fans saw a sign of the dangerous running game that helped Hastings land the Steve Prescott Man of Steel last year - only for the move to break down for a forward pass.

Gareth O'Brien sent Bodene Thompson crashing over the line - fans booed when replays suggested a forward pass - for a try that dragged the score back level and again kicked the hosts into action.

Wigan ramped up the intensity yet frequently found themselves punished by Chris Kendall, keeping them on the defensive, and a fumble from Burgess had them on the ropes for a spell.

But they survived, and countered in spectacular fashion. French defused an attack, raced to take a quick 20m tap, had the vision to find Hastings and the supporting Burgess turned on the afterburners to sprint clear to score. Hardaker's goal opened up a six point gap on the hour-mark - and it looked like the blow that had punctured Toronto's resistance.

Just minutes later, some punching drives down the middle put them in the position for French to dance through a stretched line. Hardaker again added the extras.

With a 12-point buffer, Lam switched Hardaker and French so they lined-up at full-back and centre respectively.

Hakim Miloudi was sinbinned for a flailing arm which poked an eye of Sean O'Loughlin, who was making his 400th Super League appearance.

And Farrell was the chief beneficiary as he crossed for two tries in the final five minutes.

Wigan: French; Marshall, Hardaker, Bibby, Burgess; Smith, Hastings; Clubb, Leuluai, Partington, Isa, Farrell, O'Loughlin. Subs: Borough, Bullock, Clark, Smithies.

Toronto: O'Brien; Kay, Miloudi, Leutele, Russell; Wallace, McCrone, Singleton, Ackers, Springer, Olbison, Thompson, Cunningham. Subs: Sidlow, Mullally, Dixon, Wheeler.

Referee: Chris Kendall

Half-time: 10-4

Attendance: 10,333