Wigan Warriors Rugby League Fan Site - www.cherryandwhite.co.uk

The Warriors go into the local derby against St Helens looking for their fifth win in a row.

Kris Radlinski is a major doubt for us but Saints also have injury problems with Keiron Cunningham looking doubtful for the game.

St Helens v Wigan Warriors
Tetleys Super League Round 5 at Knowsley Road.
Monday 1st April 2002 K.O 8:05PM

Saints come into this game having suffered their first defeat of the season against then bottom side London Broncos last Thursday.

That shock loss will only make them play harder. You only to think back to last Easter. Bradford lost to Wakefield on the Thursday before Good Friday, in what surely was the shock result of the season, then went on to beat us at Valley Parade on Easter Monday. Lets hope history does not repeat itself.

Wigan will have to step up two or three gears if they want to beat the Saints at Knowsley Road. We may be on a four match winning streak but the lads haven't looked that impressive in any of those games.

In the last two games at Halifax and against Castleford we've started well, building up early leads but they we've gone to sleep letting the opposition back into the game. If they want to win at Saints they'll have to defend solidly for the full 80 minutes.

There will be many battles on the pitch come Monday Night but the battle that is interesting most is the wingers battle between Brett Dallas and Darren Albert.

Albert is new to Super League only joining Saints from NRL Champions Newcastle Knights a couple of months ago but he has impressed during his short time here.

Commenting on this battle Stuart Raper said: "That will be a big one. They are probably the two speedsters of the game so it will be very interesting"

One thing I'm forever hearing on the Message Boards is Saints fans saying that our Captain Andy Farrell hides in big games.

Do they not remember his performance at Knowsley Road last year when he kicked what turned out to be a vital drop goal from 40 yards just as the half time hooter blasted? Same again please Andy!

Prediction - It will be close one, that Wigan will just shade. Possibly only a point in it.

Team News

Wigan - Kris Radlinski is a doubt after suffering a groin strain during the Castleford match. Gary Connolly is still out with a thumb injury. Craig Smith and Mick Cassidy are both expected to return.

Saints will welcome back all six players that where rested last week. Keiron Cunningham has been undergoing intense physio treatment and is hoping to be named in the team.

Kick Off is at 8:05pm on Easter Monday and the referee is Stuart Cummings