73 mins

Getting to know: Wigan Warriors

A week on from booking their place in the 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup Final, Wigan Warriors face one of the in-form teams of the Super League competition in Leeds Rhinos as two of the competition's heavyweights clash at The Brick Community Stadium, kick off 8pm.

Here's a look closer look at Wigan:

Key Playmakers

Jai Field

Whilst Bevan French remains sidelined, the Warriors' attacking focal point is Field as the full back as the 28-year-old terrorises defensive lines with his light footwork and pure pace.

Now in year five at the club and committed up to 2027 at the earliest, he boasts 122 games, 87 tries and five pieces of silverware including the quadruple won in 2024. Despite missing a handful of games this year, he still ranks amongst Wigan's top five players for tries, try assists, line breaks and tackle breaks amongst attacking metrics and has four tries in eight meetings with Leeds since scoring a hat trick in 2022.

Jack Farrimond

One of the stars of the semi-final win over St Helens, Farrimond's two-try performance last week adds to a strong resume the half back is building so far in 2026.

The Leigh Miners Rangers junior featured eight times in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, scoring a combined 12 tries as he showed the Warriors fans and Super League punters his ability in the halves. Biding his time behind Bevan French and Harry Smith, injuries in 2026 has presented Farrimond with a chance for regular starts as he's featured in ten straight games since round four. Added to his two tries against Saints, he also found the try line against the Red Vee in their rivals round meeting as well as Huddersfield and Rochdale. Whilst enjoying the personal wins of the season, he has provided plenty of chances for his team mates as he has six assists (2nd to Adam Keighran's eight try assists).

Luke Thompson

In a World Cup year, Luke Thompson has sights set on a forward spot in Brian McDermott's England team as he looks to add international caps to his World Cup record.

Not only is the prop showcasing his defensive resolve (currently ranking as the club's fourth highest tackler with 262), but he is also carries the attacking load as he has the fifth most carries and metres in Super League for Wigan, but also leads the club for metres when the Challenge Cup competition is factored in. Like Field, he has a favourable record in previous games against the Rhinos as he has nine wins against Leeds with both Wigan and St Helens.

Brad O'Neill

Wigan's top tackler O'Neill has cemented himself in the number nine shirt for years to come as he becomes the next homegrown talent to become a regular feature on the team sheet under Matt Peet.

Only Toulouse's Brendan Hands has a higher tackle count than O'Neill this campaign, with the Wigan hooker totalling 60 tackles in the Warriors round nine clash against Warrington. Another player with sights set on a World Cup spot later in the year too, he will be important if the Warriors are to push back towards the top of the table.