Knowsley road is an absolute dump, but you've got to love the atmosphere there on Derby day, probably my favourite place to go.

I'm getting goosebumps thinking about being at the back of that terrace.

Whether it's a dump or not, there's no other Rugby ground in the world that creates a better atmosphere for Wigan supporters.

Roll on Friday!

That's it.
Just stick the knife in and twist it.

I posted on their site that i think this is the first time in a long time that we'll go into this fixture more relaxed then them.

I'm hoping for an absolute classic with stars of the present and future fighting it out.

You get the feeling this is going to be the first(in starting hlafback roles) of many Tomkins vs Eastmond battles over the years.

It's great isn't it.

Pryce and Eastmond looked brilliant in the first half on Saturday (albeit against a pretty poor Quins defensive effort) and Tomkins gets better every time I watch him.

The more I see of Eastmond and Tomkins, the more the recent hype over Myler seems misplaced.

I said at the game on Friday that Tomkins must have finally stepped out of the shadows of Myler has the games premier young halfback but then i believe Eastmond is well on his way to doing that aswell. In Eastmonds case he just needs a run of games.

I think the one thing these 2 lads have got that Myler hasn't is an allround game. They can make the breaks that Myler can and score the trys but they also have good kicking games(especially Eastmond) and defend well(especially Tomkins who sweeps up like a 2nd fullback).

I'm not knocking Myler because he is also a top prospect but unlike these 2 lads he doesn't have the pressures of playing at a top club and is a big fish in a small pond.......................he must enjoy that role as he looks like he's off to Wire

Could it be the new Farrell vs Sculthorpe?

Wouldn't you love it if in ten years time we are still discussing how much these two have outwitted each other, and then they have gone on to out wit the Aussies together for England, yet we still can't get round they play for each other a bitch and moan to each other about them.

Derbytastic!

Nah it'll be a closer battle then when Faz used to hand Scullys ar*e on a plate to him

In all seriousness though it's already going to be a key battle this Friday even though the pair of them are babies in career terms.

Not only are they good players, they're exciting players and i love watching the pair of them.

Should be a top battle.

It's fantastic that two such exciting young players are being spoken of as the potential matchwinners in a Saints/Wigan match.

And they're halfbacks - it's not so long we were desperate for homegrown halves, and now we've got a bunch with real potential!

myler is nothing compared to either eastmond or tomkins, i dont get the hype surrounding richie myler, whereas the hype around sam and kyle is not hype, they are this countrys best chance of beating the aussies in years to come. hopefully kyle has a shocker this week though

Can't wait for this one. Play with the same enthusiasm as the last few weeks, keep cool heads and hit 'em hard from the start and we will go alright.

Can you imagine this conversation taking place between rival wendyball fans....??

One of the things I love about this game is that even the most one-eyed fans of rival teams appreciate talent and good rugby from their opponents.

Long may it continue.

That Tomkins is rubbish though and looks way less like a mini Mr T than Eastmond.

Much focus on the halves but this game will be won up front and that's why I'm worried with 2 big props out injured.

Im guessing tickets havent sold out yet?

I still need to get mine but I hope I'm not leaving it too late.