Wigan Warriors maintain unbeaten start to Super League season with win over Toulouse Olympique

Wigan scored four tries in the first half thanks to braces from Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran, while Olly Ashall-Bott pulled a try back for Toulouse late in the first half. The visitors were 18-6 to the good at the break.

The Warriors went further in front in the second half through Bevan French, but Toulouse hit back through Ashall-Bott. Wigan and Toulouse then exchanged tries through Brad O’Neill and Benjamin Laguerre respectively, before Wigan wrapped up a 36-16 victory with a late try from Sam Walters.

Matt Peet made two changes to his Wigan line-up that thrashed Leigh Leopards 54-0 last week. Jack Farrimond and Taylor Kerr came in for Jai Field (appendix) and Tom Forber. Bevan French moved to fullback in the absence of Field, with Farrimond partnering Harry Smith in the halves. Academy graduate Kerr made his debut for his hometown club, featuring from the bench.

As for Toulouse, there were a few players in Sylvain Houles’ side who Warriors fans will be familiar with in the shape of Jake Shorrocks and Joe Bretherton – both progressed through Wigan’s academy under Peet and into the first-team around a decade ago. Tyler Dupree, who is on a season-long loan at Toulouse from Wigan, was ruled out due to an ankle injury.

The away side struck first in the seventh minute through Eckersley. After Toulouse had started brightly with early possession, Wigan moved the ball sharply down the right edge, slick hands creating the space for Eckersley to dive over in the corner. Keighran was unable to add the extras, leaving the score at 4-0.

Wigan doubled their advantage four minutes later. Sustained pressure close to the line eventually told, with Keighran muscling his way through the Toulouse defence from close range to score. The Australian converted his own try to push the lead to 10-0.

Peet’s side continued to dominate the middle of the field, their pack laying a strong platform that allowed the backs to attack with confidence. In the 16th minute, the ball was spread wide once again, and Keighran crossed for his second try of the evening. However, his conversion attempt drifted wide as Wigan moved 14-0 ahead.

The Warriors’ attacking rhythm showed little sign of slowing. In the 22nd minute, a flowing move involving Smith, Farrimond, and French carved open the Toulouse defence. The final pass sent Eckersley over for his second try of the night, although Keighran again missed the kick, leaving the score at 18-0.

Toulouse finally found a breakthrough late in the half. A sharp break from winger Laguerre split the Wigan line before he released Ashall-Bott in support to finish the move in the 38th minute. Shorrocks converted to give the home side a lift heading into the interval. Despite that late response from Houles’ side, Wigan held a commanding 18-6 lead at half-time after an energetic first-half performance.

Wigan wasted little time extending their advantage after the restart, and it was French who produced the next moment of quality. In the 52nd minute, the Australian speedster backed his strength and footwork to power through from around 10 metres out, shrugging off defenders to reach the line. Keighran added the conversion to push the visitors into a commanding 24-6 lead.

Toulouse were handed a route back into the contest six minutes later following a video referee intervention. Liam Marshall was adjudged to have pulled back Ashall-Bott as the winger chased a kick close to the try-line, resulting in a penalty try being awarded. Former Wigan half-back Shorrocks converted to reduce the deficit to 24-12.

Shortly after, a proud moment arrived for the Warriors as academy graduate Kerr entered the field in the 59th minute to make his first-team debut, earning heritage number 1,141.

Any Toulouse momentum was quickly halted, though, as Wigan responded immediately. From the restart, Farrimond sliced through the defensive line with a blistering break before finding the supporting O'Neill, who raced over under the posts on the hour mark. Keighran again converted to restore the Warriors’ 18-point cushion at 30-12.

The hosts refused to go away and pulled another try back in the 66th minute. Laguerre finished in the corner after a move down the flank, with the video referee ruling there was insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field decision of try. Shorrocks was unable to land the conversion, leaving Toulouse trailing 30-16.

Wigan ultimately made sure of the result with eight minutes remaining. Farrimond was again at the heart of the move, breaking into space before sending Walters through a gap to score. Keighran added the extras, sealing a 36-16 victory.

The result ensured Wigan maintain their perfect start to the Super League season, with Peet’s side having beaten Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Leigh Leopards and Toulouse in the first month of Super League action.

Toulouse: Olly Ashall-Bott; Benjamin Laguerre, Romeo Tropis, Reubenn Rennie, Luke Polselli; Thomas Lacans, Jake Shorrocks; Lambert Belmas, Brendan Hands, Rob Butler, Mathieu Jussaume, AJ Wallace, Anthony Marion. Subs: Joe Cator, Joe Bretherton, James Roumanos, Hugo Garrigues. 18th man: Maxime Stefani.

Tries: Ashall-Bott (2), Laguerre | Goals: Shorrocks 2/3

Wigan: Bevan French; Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall; Jack Farrimond, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Sam Eseh, Taylor Kerr. 18th man: Nathan Lowe.

Tries: Eckersley (2), Keighran (2), French, O’Neill, Walters | Goals: Keighran 4/7

Referee: Liam Rush | Attendance: 5,497

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