Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'Should 100 per cent be in the Dream Team...'

Our panel of Warriors experts run the rule over last Thursday’s win over Hull KR, the tributes to Sir Billy Boston and this Saturday’s trip to Leeds Rhinos...

David Bailey:

It felt like the weather replicated the mood of the town last Thursday. Heavy skies matched heavy hearts, and the downpour felt like it couldn't hold it in anymore, much like the thousands in attendance. Wigan Warriors paid a special tribute to one of the greatest.

I always fear when clubs do a minute’s silence. However, such is the regard that Sir Billy is held in, those minute silences were impeccably observed around the country.

Kris Radlinski deserves a huge amount of credit for the magnificent send-off and outpouring of love which beautifully encapsulated a special man.

The conditions made it difficult for the game itself - the driving rain and the swirling wind really were Hull KR's 18th man. The result was never in doubt. Wigan, although never in danger of losing, did have some defending to do. Hull KR had a decent spell on the Warriors’ line before finally getting a consolation.

Wigan extended their new winning run in Super League to 13 games and continued their attempts to overhaul Leeds for the League Leaders’ Shield, thus keeping their treble hopes alive.

That comes to a head this week when the Warriors travel to Headingley in what is a shootout between the best two sides of 2026.

The 21-man squads aren’t out at the time of writing, but Wigan might have Junior Nsemba back in what would be a huge fillip for the team when he does return.

The key, though, is keeping Bevan French, Harry Smith and Jai Field on the pitch. The battle between those three and their Leeds counterparts is going to be enthralling and could swing views in terms of Man of Steel, World Cup selection and the Dream Team.

Leeds are the favourites - just - but Matt Peet has tuned Wigan into playing play-off rugby of late - defending hard, kicking long, and snaffling up any opportunities. I think their know-how and togetherness as a team that has won so much recently will just be enough.

Speaking of the Dream Team, I've seen quite a few suggestions that have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Personally, from a Wigan perspective, I think Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran and Brad O'Neill should 100 per cent be in the Dream Team.

I doubt Jai Field will be involved due to the hype around Lachie Miller this season (but I wouldn’t swap him!).

I think French has probably missed too much of the season to be included, especially given Brodie Croft's try-scoring exploits.

Harry Smith is another for me that just doesn't grab the headlines. He may well be selected, but after Jake Connor’s season, he will also probably pip him.

Luke Thompson, again, has been a mainstay and could well be in the running. Joe Ofahengaue should absolutely be the first prop, and I'd imagine Caleb Hamlin-Uele will be Thompson's main rival.

Similar to French, I think Nsemba will miss out on his selection due to missing a huge chunk of the season, so there is no complaints there, really.

Finally, Ollie Partington may well get the nod. Once Wigan moved him to starting loose forward, the team was transformed. He’s also had many Player of the Match performances at second-row. I can't wait to see back-row reinforcements arrive as I think we will go up another level. That being said, Ben Currie has had a great season too.

The main thing for me is the team performing over the next month or so. They have a very real chance of doing something special.

Along with the Reserves, Academy and Women’s team (all of whom remain unbeaten), the club are on the verge of winning every single trophy for those four levels - something that has never been achieved anywhere before.

Get down and support all of them if you can... 2026 could be an all-timer of a season.

Glynn Bradshaw:

Before the game against Hull KR, it was a fantastic and fitting tribute to the late, great Billy Boston. We always seem to pitch these things perfectly, so credit must go to everyone involved. It was an emotional night, for sure.

The performance was good enough, and luckily, we had an unassailable lead before the monsoon arrived.

It was also a nice boost to the points difference column in the table. Once again, there were some standout performances. Smith was my Man of the Match, but Field also had a top game and his assist for the Jake Wardle try was sublime.

What a game that awaits us this Saturday. No injuries or suspensions to worry about and the potential return of Nsemba.

Surely it is winner takes all for the League Leaders’ Shield? I can’t see us or Leeds losing in the final round next week.

Leeds are a great team with a number of threats, a solid pack and plenty of pace, with the pantomime villain Connor pulling the strings and Croft having a stellar year.

Our defence is the area we need to improve on. In my opinion, we still give easy yards away and field position to boot, so against a team like Leeds, we need to address this. We know we can score tries, so we need to limit the amount we concede.

The Dream Team is due to be announced shortly. Personally, I would have Field, Eckersley, Keighran, O’Neill and Thompson, but I think only three will make it in Eckersley, O’Neill and Thompson.

It is sure to be a great crowd on Saturday and a tremendous atmosphere. The Warriors fans will be loud and proud, 13 league wins on the bounce is a fantastic achievement, but to make it 14 will require an improved performance, and an impressive one, so here’s hoping we are up to it. Fingers crossed.

Darren Wrudd:

What a night last Thursday turned out to be, and in more ways than one.

The game itself was dominated by the conditions and I simply loved the way we managed to play high-percentage rugby with little chance for error, while at the same time being free-flowing and looking for options.

In the first half, the weather was awful but it was obviously the same for both teams, leaving a proper layer of water on the grass which never drained away for the remainder of the game. It would have been easy to forgive a game where the ball was like a bar of soap, but we did particularly well and this really encourages me as the play-offs are often a wet affair.

There was a brief period in the second half when Hull KR put us under a bit of pressure, and we made one or two decisions which were less than perfect, but the commitment to back up any error and get behind the ball was second to none.

Even when the game was won, the extra effort in defence was great to watch and showed real commitment, particularly lads like French and Partington.

Is it me, or has Field found an extra gear in his play? He is showing up in support much more, while still being solid and organised at fullback. He could always pop up on the back of a break, but he seems to be creating more and looking for the chances, which bodes well so long as we don’t over play our cards.

The evening began, of course, with a wonderful tribute to Sir Billy. The ceremony of the occasion was indicative of the huge amount of respect that the man deserved.

The minute’s silence was observed extremely well and the opposing fans were as committed to that as we were.

Also, did anyone watch the St Helens v Leeds game? They showed the same respect for the great man, aptly described as the gentle giant of our game. My thanks go to them, and it shows that beyond game time rivalry, there is such mutual respect throughout our sport that it makes you proud to be a part of it all.

This morning, I was at Robin Park Arena when I noticed a group of our women’s team walking out, perhaps on their way for a coffee. I shouted my best to them for such a fabulous year and, as I got a few ‘thank you’ reactions and some laughs, I noticed just how athletic these young women are. They have come a long way in such a short space of time and have obviously worked so hard to get there that they deserve every accolade and trophy they receive. I expect one of them will top the Woman of Steel voting this year - I do hope so.

For a few weeks now, we have all heard how it is getting to the business end of the season. Well, it is here!

Leeds are top of the table on merit and play a fast and well-drilled form of rugby. They are fit and strong, and have it all to play for on Saturday as the winner will most likely lift the League Leaders’ Shield.

Our task is to concentrate for the full 80 minutes. A lot of that comes from managing energy levels and the general fitness of the squad, and on both counts, I am confident.

The game will not be won in the forwards or backs, but an understanding between the two and support from each other when the need to scramble arises.

This is a big game, quite possibly a precursor to the Grand Final.

It will be fast and tough, and I don’t think Leeds will know what’s hit them... Let’s silence the South Stand at Headingley and take another step to getting our Shield back!