Wigan Warriors secured their sixth League Leaders’ Shield by thrashing Catalans Dragons 50-12 at the Brick Community Stadium on Friday, capping a remarkable late-season surge to claim their second piece of silverware of the campaign under head coach Matt Peet.
The emphatic victory saw Wigan run in nine tries to wrap up their 16th consecutive win. Having already lifted the Challenge Cup back in May, the Warriors stand just two victories away from completing a treble. Matt Peet’s side, who were trophyless in 2025 off the back of their quadruple-winning 2024 campaign, have now won two pieces of silverware.
Wigan Warriors versus Leeds Rhinos
Friday’s triumph at home sealed the top spot, but the decisive momentum was forged a week earlier during a crucial 40-8 victory over title rivals Leeds Rhinos at AMT Headingley on Saturday night. Wigan travelled to West Yorkshire sitting second in the Super League table, level on points with Leeds but behind on points difference, before producing an impressive performance to leapfrog the Rhinos into top spot.
Adam Keighran starred in that Headingley fixture by scoring a hat-trick and kicking six goals, while Bevan French made his 200th career appearance. Austin Daniel, making just his fourth senior appearance, made a flying break down the right before finding the supporting Adam Keighran to open the scoring after eight minutes. Just four minutes later, Luke Thompson thought he had extended the advantage before the effort was ruled out. Keighran crossed for his second after the ball was moved through quick hands, and though Leeds responded through Ash Handley from a Jake Connor chip, Wigan responded when French produced a superb cut-out pass to send Daniel over in the corner. Connor kicked a penalty after Wigan were caught offside, leaving the Warriors leading 16-8 at halftime.
In the second half against Leeds, Liam Marshall crossed early, French scored after Harry Smith’s kick found space, Jai Field added Wigan’s sixth try, and Keighran completed his hat-trick late on. Leeds full-back Lachie Miller limped off early with a hamstring injury, and Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur told BBC Radio Leeds that the team had not put its best foot forward, adding that Miller would need scans. Had Wigan lost then, Leeds could have pulled off a dramatic final-day surge back to the top, winning the shield at their expense on points difference, but the Rhinos fell short and were beaten by Hull FC on Friday.
Catalans Dragons at the Brick Community Stadium
Returning to the Brick Community Stadium, Wigan left no doubt about their championship credentials against Les Dracs. Harry Smith and Ugo Tison exchanged tries early on, but Liam Marshall, Brad O’Neill and Liam Farrell put Wigan in control at the break, with the try-scorers including Smith, Marshall twice, O’Neill, Farrell, Daniel, Field, Eckersley, and Keighran, alongside seven goals from Keighran. Austin Daniel and Jai Field continued Wigan’s scoring streak, while Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran and Marshall’s second wrapped up a thumping 16th win in a row, with Alexis Lis scoring a fine consolation try for Les Dracs in the closing stages. Referee Marcus Griffiths officiated the match, with Wigan fielding Field, Daniel, Keighran, Eckersley, Marshall, French, Smith, Havard, O’Neill, Thompson, Nsemba, Partington, and Ellis, alongside interchanges Farrell, Walters, Mago, and Kerr. Catalans lined up with Marc, Darrelatour, Martin, Cotric, Makinson, Aispuro-Bichet, Dodd, Allen, Tison, Navarrete, Garcia, Laguerre, and Bousquet, with interchanges Maria, Wilson, Descalzi, and Lis, and goals from Aispuro-Bichet and Garcia.
Catalans Dragons ninth-placed finish
For Catalans, it means a difficult campaign ends with a ninth-placed finish. Les Dracs have now not made the end-of-season play-offs since their run to the Super League Grand Final in 2023 – where they were also beaten by Wigan.
Wigan now have a bye week by virtue of a top two place and will be at home for their Super League play-off semi-final on Saturday, 12 September, live on the BBC.
