Very tough to predict. We have always beaten Saints in these good Friday games since Maguire came in, and Wane has always beaten them when there have been no distractions (the losses coming the week before the CC semi last season and the week before the play offs the season before). Saints are a lot better this season though and I think they'll come out with a point to prove, beating us on Friday would really signal that they are ready to end their trophy-drought.

Having said that, I think we have a point to prove as well. All you hear when trophies are discussed is Leeds and Saints, despite us holding both trophies very few people seem to be backing us to keep either. The team seems to be at its strongest as an underdog (as we were in both play offs and the final last year) so I'm going to go for a narrow Wigan win.

Saints 18 Wigan 20 (losing 18-4 at HT)

Team wise I think it's a risk throwing Manfredi into a good Friday derby after just one game v Wakey (in which he had the ball ripped, allowing them to go the full length and score) and Sarginson doesn't really look comfortable on the wing for my money. As such I'd go with Thornley out wide, who has plenty SL experience on the wing and is in good form.

FB 1 Bowen
RW 4 Thornley
RC 3 Goulding
LC 23 Sarginson
LW 32 Burgess
SO 6 Green
SH 7 Smith
P 8 Taylor
H 9 McIlorum
P 10 Flower
SR 25 Bateman
SR 12 Farrell
LF 13 O'Loughlin

S 17 Crosby
S 24 Clubb
S 25 Pettybourne
S 27 Williams

Well I was close with my prediction.. I got the points difference almost spot on..

I'm in France, it is raining,the sun is shining in my heart.

Looking at the current saints side I have to admit that I don't rate the majority of their side. Guys like Makinson, Jones, Wilkin, LMS, Flanagan & Turner aren't the kind of superstars like Long, Scully, Lyon, Pauleta were.

Thinking about it realistically was it ever in doubt? It was primarily Saints produced youth vs Wigan produced youth. The young wigan lads have always beaten their counterparts at every level for the past five years.

There's no comparison when you compare our emerging talent vs Anyone in SL.

In fairness to Saints there's no real comparison when you look at our side between guys like Goulding, Thornley and Smith to past players like Connolly, Renouf and Lam but that's superleague for you. The quality of player is possibly at an all time low but that has it's flip sides because clubs are producing more young English talent then ever before.

I agree with you when it comes down to the junior production currently though. Saints have some classy young players like Lomax, Makinson, Swift and Jones but these lads have been battered senseless at junior levels by guys like Sam Tomkins, Charnley, Farrell, Crosby and plenty more for years and that must have a mental effect when it comes to these first team games. They have some barriers to try and break down in that respect and it's a tough ask.