Warriors v Saints: Teams
Wigan will look to maintain their unbeaten record this season against Saints before they are presented with the League Leaders' Shield.
Last Updated: 06/09/12 1:33pm
Wigan will be looking to maintain their unbeaten record this season against Saints when the two arch rivals clash at the DW Stadium.
The Warriors have won all three meetings so far in 2012, including an 18-4 victory on home turf in the quarter-finals of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
If Shaun Wane's side are at least certain to be celebrating at the final hooter - the squad will be represented with the League Leaders' Shield after making sure they will finish the regular season at the top of the table.
They did it the hard way, though, creating a new Stobart Super League record by coming back from 26-0 down to beat Hull KR at Craven Park.
Despite the win Wane was not a happy man at seeing his team concede so many points, meaning this week Wigan have been working hard on tightening up their defence.
Fantastic team
"St Helens are a fantastic team, very well coached and they have some real talent. If we defend like we did last weekend we will lose the game," he told the club's official website.
"We have had a long video session looking back on the win at Hull KR and we have had a great session on Tuesday working on our defence. The players know to let Hull KR score as many points as they did is unacceptable and you can't do that against St Helens."
Perhaps playing a few mind games ahead of the match, Wane even went so far as to suggest the visitors will be favourites for the derby battle.
He added: "They have had a couple of days extra to prepare for the game and they are the form team. I think they will be favourites for this weekend's game but we will be very committed to give it a good go."
The Warriors, who will be wearing their Joining Jack charity shirt in support of four-year-old Jack Johnson, the son of former player Andy who is suffering from the muscular disease Duchenne, welcome back Stuart Fielden and Gil Dudson to their 19-man squad.
Saints, meanwhile, have centre Michael Shenton back from a two-match absence, but second rower Sia Soliola is rested after taking a knock in the win over London and Chris Flannery is still out with an ankle injury.
Interim coach Mike Rush has opted not to risk Ade Gardner despite the winger playing 50 minutes for the under 20s last week.
Although already certain of a top four finish, St Helens will be eager to triumph on their travels to seal third place in the table. If they lose, Catalan Dragons could overtake them with a victory over Bradford on Saturday.
Wigan: Carmont, Charnley, Dudson, Farrell, Fielden, Finch, Flower, Goulding, Hansen, Hock, Hughes, Leuluai, Lima, McIlorum, Mossop, O'Loughlin, Richards, Smith, Tomkins.
St Helens: Wellens, Shenton, Meli, Hohaia, Lomax, Perry, Roby, McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Puletua, Wilkin, Laffranchi, Flanagan, Clough, Wheeler, Dixon, Gaskell, Makinson, Jones, Greenwood.