Wigan Warriors become Super League champions 2023

Wigan lift the Super League Title after overcoming French side, Catalan Dragons.

Published 14th Oct 2023

Wigan Warriors are Super League champions, after fighting out a closely fought 10-2 win over Catalans Dragons in the Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Liam Marshall grabbed the only try of the game to secure a hard-fought but ultimately comfortable win for Matt Peet's men, sealing their sixth domestic showpiece and their first since 2018.

Both teams fought hard defensively in the first half, with the Warriors edging in front through Harry Smith's 25th-minute penalty after a mistake by Catalans loose forward Ben Garcia.

Catalans managed to level matters shortly before the break when Keighran kicked two after Wigan were caught offside.

Wigan legend Sam Tomkins was hoping for a fairytale ending to his rugby career, coming up against his former club for the last time at Catalans before retirement. But it wasn't to be.

Wigan looked a different beast from the opening moments of the second half when Toby King streaked down the left flank then Field, largely dormant in the first period, was bundled into touch on the opposite flank.

Davies' sin-binning for holding back Marshall in the process proved costly for Catalans, and the fired-up Field almost presented Bevan French with the game's first try in the 49th minute.

He was given a second chance to scamper deep into Catalans territory after a fortunate deflection off Farrell's foot but Field's final pass to send his team-mate over the line was ruled forward by referee Liam Moore.

Two minutes later Wigan made their increasingly inevitable breakthrough when Jake Wardle twisted into the Catalans 20 and off-loaded to Farrell, who in turn served up Marshall to trot in for the opening try.

Smith's conversion ensured Peet's men chiselled an 8-2 advantage as the game reached the hour mark, and Keighran's high tackle on Tyler Dupree gifted Smith the chance to lift Wigan into a two-score lead.

Speaking at the final whistle, Warriors full back Bevan French was elated. He said: "I'm really proud of getting the win. Every lesson we've come across this year we've come across the other end."

"Everyone is just grateful to get the win, and Old Trafford just doesn't seem real"

Wigan Warriors have won the Super League for the first time since 2018.