Round 26 pits Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors against each other in one of the highlight games of the Betfred Super League calendar as the two sides clash at The Brick Community Stadium on Friday, kick off 8pm.

As the two prepare to go head to head, find out more about Matt Peet's Wigan side here:

Overview

Name: Wigan Warriors 

Founded: 1872

Years in Super League: 28

Head Coach: Matt Peet

Club Captain: Liam Farrell

Last three season finishes: 2023 = 1st, 2022 = 2nd, 2021 = 4th

Best SL finish: 1st in 1998, 2000, 2010, 2012, 2020 and 2023

Grand Final appearances: Six

So far in 2024...

With one hand on the League Leaders' Shield for the time being, the Warriors hope to overturn their defeat to Leeds earlier in the season by securing the league points on home soil on Friday.

Coming into the season as Grand Final champions, the club quickly added the World Club to their honours haul as head coach Matt Peet became one of a select few coaches to hold all four trophies (Grand Final, Challenge Cup, League Leaders' Shield and World Club) all at the same time. In the league, a quick start against Castleford saw the side rise to the top of the standings with eight wins in their opening ten Super League matches, before they went on a further ten match winning streak which included Cup wins over Hull KR and Warrington in the Final.

As Wigan looked set to add another League Leaders' Shield to their tally, Warrington got their revenge after Hull FC stole a 24-22 win against the Warriors to throw Matt Peet's side into a contest with Hull KR and Warrington for the top spot. They quickly responded to the 40-4 defeat to Sam Burgess' side with a 28-14 result against Huddersfield in round 20, thanks to tries from Zack Eckersley, Jai Field, Ryan Hampshire and Jake Wardle.

After a convincing first half helped the side beat Leigh Leopards 28-6 in a midweek clashnight, Leeds inflicted a 30-4 loss on the Cherry and Whites for only the fifth time in 2024, but yet again the Warriors have picked up their form to firmly grasp the League Leaders' title. 

Off the back of wins over St Helens, Hull and Catalans, they faced off against top of the table contenders Hull KR and came away with a comeback 24-20 win, thanks to tries from Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Junior Nsemba and the returning Bevan French.

Only top six hopefuls Salford remain after this week's game for Peet's side, who look forward to a week off when the Play Offs commence.

Squad

Ones to Watch

Liam Marshall

On record to finish with his best try tally in Super League, winger Liam Marshall edges closer to claiming the competition's top try scorer award in 2024. 

No other Wigan player has made more carries and metres than the winger this year, which made offering him a four-year deal an easy option to keep him in Cherry and White.

Having debuted back in 2017, he won seven major honours, and hopes to be in the fold for England at the end of the year.

Bevan French

Closely behind Marshall in the try scoring statistics, star half back Bevan French made his long-anticipated return from injury against the Dragons in round 24 and was back amongst the try scorers against Hull KR.

The reigning Man of Steel winner is invaluable to the Warriors' chances of lifting the Grand Final trophy in October and is certainly one to watch on the field this week.

Fixtures and Results

Round 23 - Won 22-4 vs Hull FC (The Brick Community Stadium)

Round 24 - Won 26-18 vs Catalans Dragons (Stade Gilbert Brutus)

Round 25 - Won 24-20 vs Hull KR (The Brick Community Stadium)

Round 26 - Vs Leeds Rhinos (The Brick Community Stadium, KO 8pm)

Round 27 - Vs Salford Red Devils (The Brick Community Stadium, KO 8pm)

Stats Performers

Tries - Liam Marshall (24 tries)

Goals - Adam Keighran (55 goals)

Try Assists - Jake Wardle (14 assists)

Carries - Liam Marshall (394 carries)

Tackle Breaks - Jai Field (93 breaks)

Offloads - Kaide Ellis (29 offloads)

Last Super League match

Don't miss the Rhinos take on the Warriors

Fans get two games for the price of one this Saturday as Leeds and Wigan's Men's and Women's sides are in action at The Brick Community Stadium, starting with the Women's game at 5.30pm.

Tickets and travel for our away Betfred Super League game against Wigan Warriors are available to purchase online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk, over the phone on 0371 423 1315 and from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop (Opening Hours) from 10am on Friday 23rd August. 

Tickets in the North Stand are priced at £26 for adults, £22 concessions, £12 for juniors and travel is available too from AMT Headingley for £18 per person.

For more information, go to https://www.therhinos.co.uk/ar...