Wigan Warriors: The 18th Man - 'Memories were created to last a lifetime...'

Our panel of Warriors experts run the rule over last weekend’s Challenge Cup double at Wembley and look ahead to Saturday’s Super League clash with Catalans Dragons in Paris...

David Bailey:

What was it that Taylor Swift sang? Hey, I don’t know about you, but I'm feelin' 22?

The Warriors took over the capital last Saturday as three Wigan teams blitzed their way to Wembley glory. St Peter's won the all-Wigan Year 7 final against Deanery.

The women absolutely destroyed St Helens for the second year running to reclaim the first leg of last year’s Grand Slam, and the men's team... Well, there have been some special Challenge Cup finals in Wigan's illustrious history, but this one is right up there.

To take the current holders of each major trophy apart in that fashion is impressive, and to do it with mostly homegrown players, and score tries in the fashion Wigan did... It's one of the most complete performances you will see.

Jack Farrimond announced himself to the world with a stunning performance. Having Bevan French in the squad really did take the heat off young Farrimond - no one spoke about him in the build-up at all. Yet he once again was the most influential player on the pitch, surrounded by players with hundreds of Super League and NRL games between them.

The set move for his first try was sublime, and he left Tyrone May grasping thin air. His second was a break from halfway, which reminded me of the great Brett Kenny try in 1985. He just glided past Mikey Lewis.

So many performances stood out. Noah Hodkinson, who is still in single figures for appearances, played like a seasoned pro.

Zach Eckersley ate metres for fun and made nine clean breaks. Brad O'Neill lasted 80 minutes and put Jez Litten in the shade.

Sam Walters and Junior Nsemba put in giant performances to match their stature. Adam Keighran equalled the record for points scored in a final with two superb tries and six goals.

Matt Peet took home the eighth trophy of his fledgling top-flight career, leaving him just one trophy shy of the most decorated coaches of the summer era.

The sunshine obviously amplified the good feelings, but it really was a special day.

The only downside was the tackle on Bill Leyland, really. I wasn’t sure how the disciplinary would react, but it seems they have opted to punish Walters for the initial lift. Nsemba can count himself lucky, as there is no place for spear tackles in the game. It just went totally wrong, and both players knew it was a bad one.

The Warriors now head to another capital, Paris in France, to take on Catalans Dragons in their anniversary game.

Obviously, French will continue his rehab, so following the bans of Walters and Harry Smith, we have another halfback conundrum to solve. Do we go with George Marsden and continue the square pegs in square holes that have seen us improve? Or do we shuffle Keighran to six and opt for experience? I have no idea, but after many questioned Peet over his team selection at Hull KR the week before Wembley, I think we have to have a little faith.

I’m hopeful for no Cup hangover and that our defence continues to shine, but a loss after last week wouldn't be the end of the world.

Glynn Bradshaw:

A day to savour in the sweltering Wembley heat as our ladies and men did us proud with an ease we could have barely predicted.

First of all, the ladies - just too good, too quick and too savvy for a Saints team that wilted in the heat. As many people have said, the women’s team are a young side and could potentially dominate the game for the foreseeable future, and Denis Betts has done a great job in moulding such a formidable outfit. A special mention to Eva Hunter, who, despite scoring four tries, was somehow denied the Player of the Match award!

Then the men followed suit, and although on paper many had Hull KR as slight favourites, Wigan dominated from minute one. Although this didn’t show on the scoreboard at half-time, we ran riot in the second half and looked like we could score with every touch of the ball.

It was a real team effort. Farrimond set the tone with two fantastic individual efforts, but from one to 17, we shone brightly in the London sunshine.

We were resilient when we needed to be, as our goal-line defence stood up to the test when needed, but we just looked so confident, fit and fluid with the ball in hand. It was a joy to watch.

An honourable mention to Keighran, equalling the points scoring record in a Wembley final. His second try, especially, was classic centre play.

The only sour note on a fabulous day for the club was the ugly tackle on Leyland. Walters needs to get his act together. He has been playing so well, so for him to be missing 10 games in the season so far - a third of our league fixtures - is criminal. Kaide Ellis had some discipline issues a few years ago, but has managed to turn it around. Walters needs to do the same and quickly.

Another weekend and another capital city, this time in Paris. It’s hard to predict how this one will go.

Smith will be a big loss as he is such a great leader of our team around the pitch, as will Walters, who has been fantastic of late. Also, there is a lot of talk about French undergoing more rehab, so he will probably be missing too.

Catalans are very inconsistent, but we have to expect the best of them, so it will be a tough ask, I’m sure.

Although we have a good record over there, history counts for nothing, and with five games on the trot away from the Brick Community Stadium, our place in the top six is under threat, unless, of course, we can come up with some more champagne rugby.

Fingers crossed, we can prevail before another tough trip to Wakefield.

Darren Wrudd:

Sitting in the hotel lounge on a rainy Isle of Man, several folk wandered in to see what the noise was about as we cheered and shouted as the game went on.

The joy began as Mr Lenagan led out our women’s team, which I was over the moon to see. The Warriors Women were miles ahead of their opposition, and huge credit to Betts and his staff for their efforts.

Then, as Kris Radlinski walked out, clearly as proud of this club as we are, the scene was set for a classic.

A dominant performance from a close-knit group of players meant memories were created to last a lifetime.

The weather was so hot and sunny that it was always going to be a factor and energy management became an important consideration, so much so that whilst KR were running out in defence for the game, and full credit to them for having a go, as the game wore on, we seemed happier to concede 10 metres and allow them to run at us. This meant we kept the legs fresher and always looked the better, fitter squad. A good tactic which paid great dividends.

It is very difficult to select a standout player, which is great really, as they all stood out! The forwards seemed twice as big as theirs, backs twice as fast, almost.

But I must give a special mention to Ethan Havard, who I thought was outstanding. With Luke Thompson and the fabulous Ollie Partington, we totally overwhelmed the midfield. Nsemba is back to his best too, and except for his part in the poor tackle near the end, he was a force to be reckoned with.

I was so pleased for Farrimond to be awarded the Lance Todd Trophy, as he has worked so hard on his game and taken his chances well. He was a thorn in KR’s side throughout the match.

It is not good that Walters managed a seven-game ban, but we knew that was coming. Smith’s one-match ban on ‘points accrued’ is a total joke, and that system is not fit for purpose. But it gives Peet food for thought on the halfback pairing for the Paris game, which should be good. A great weekend is in store and another one to remember.

Finally, I was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Mr John Kear. A chap full of the joys for our sport and with a great career which had developed into a wonderful commentator. My deepest condolences go to his family and friends.