Luke Douglas wants a Saints-Wigan derby to remember
St Helens prop Luke Douglas is hoping for a derby to remember when they face Wigan in front of a sell-out crowd on Good Friday.
Douglas, 31, featured in all three games between the two sides last season, which included a thrilling 22-19 victory for Saints in May sandwiched between two defeats.
Wigan are on a run of nine successive Easter victories over their arch-rivals, and won last year’s meeting 29-18 after Kyle Amor was sent off for Saints.
Douglas said: “In the second one, I got knocked out so I don’t remember too much of it!
“The first one was a tough one, we were down to 12 men and they were just coming at us all day. Their line speed, their ball movement and with O’Loughlin there they are definitely tough to handle, and I’m expecting no less this weekend.”
Saints sit top of the Super League table having tasted defeat just once, against Leeds, so far this season, but Wigan themselves have been going about their business quietly and boast a game in hand.
A win by more than 13 points would see Wigan leapfrog Saints in to top spot.
Douglas added: “It’s an important one. If we can get this one, it’ll put us in a good position but on the other hand they’ve only lost the one to Warrington and they’re playing some great footy. Both sides will benefit massively from getting the win here.
“They’ve got some great try scorers, some speed out wide and they do a great job in the middle.
“I haven’t really seen much of them this year as haven’t seen many TV so games, so I’m definitely going to do some homework on what’s coming at us and it should be a cracker.”
After the Wigan game, St Helens must turnaround to face Widnes away on Easter Monday – a game that they lost last year, which was one of only five Vikings wins in the regular season.
The Scotland international continued: “You saw the way they played last Thursday night, they’re a good outfit and they play some good footy.
“I suppose for us, we’re just concentrating on Friday and get the sleep, get the food, get the recovery and do whatever we can to be ready for the game on Monday. Focus on Wigan first and then rip in to Widnes.”