Grand Final: Brilliant Bevan

Wigan Warriors have the chance to make even more history on Saturday night when they face Hull KR under the lights at Old Trafford.

The Warriors are no strangers to a Super League Grand Final but could achieve back-to-back titles for the first time in their Super League history, as well as go on to hold all four major trophies in one season.

And Warriors wizard, Bevan French, knows exactly what’s at stake when the current Champions take to the field on Saturday:

“Everyone’s excited for it. The feeling is contagious – it brings out all the emotions and feelings out from last year. We’re excited more than anything,” said the 2023 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel winner.

“Going back-to-back is our ambition. We want to create more history. We have to go out and keep doing what we’ve been doing. It’s going to be tough and it’s going to be a very good challenge for us.

“We’re looking forward to it just as much as everyone else is.”

French has continued to light up the top tier in 2024 with his sensational skillset – whether this be his freaky footwork, searing pace or moments of pure magic.

What a try from Brilliant Bevan! ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/iu7ge7PKW4

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 5, 2024

He stole the show in the Warriors’ 38-0 semi-final rout of Leigh Leopards last Saturday, with one try in particular that had everyone watching on in awe.

But the ‘Bevan Brilliance’ is entirely unscripted according to Wigan’s star man:

“It wasn’t just the individual try, but it’s about the collective effort from the group and the points we put together. We’ll take confidence from that.

“Those things with me sort of just happen – they’re not planned or anything like that – just off-the-cuff and I’ve just been lucky that sometimes they pull off the way they do.

“These things don’t cross my mind going into games – they just happen. It could be a long time before it happens again!”

Or…it could happen in this week’s hotly anticipated Grand Final, where a victory would secure his Wigan side two titles on the spin, and a complete a first ever Super League quadruple.

“We realise that it’s an important part of history for the club – the club hasn’t done it in the Super League era. To be able to do it all in one calendar year would be great for us and we’d be making our own piece of history.

“We know the club has got a very rich history with great players and legends so to be able to make our own would be something special."

In the 2024 Super League it’s one a-piece between this year’s Grand Finalists, with Hull KR winning confidently on home turf, before Wigan ruthlessly returned the favour on their home patch - which led them to retaining the League Leaders’ Shield.

French's presence was huge in Round 25's triumph over the Robins, where he contributed yet another one of his super solo tries to bring his side back into the game.

Bevan French - that is incredible ?#SuperLeague pic.twitter.com/4EDWuTGXEF

— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) September 6, 2024

It will be French's third Grand Final appearance - his first in 2020 behind closed doors and his second last year against Catalans Dragons.

 And he is once again excited for Saturday’s big occasion, and knows that it could be all about who turns up on the day:

“When you first walk out at Old Trafford, it’s a feeling you can’t really put into words. The Grand Final is a Grand Final – anything can happen, and you have to get out there and earn it.

“We understand that it’s going to be a big match for Hull KR – the biggest in their club’s history for quite some time, so it’s going to be tough."

French and the majority of players in the Cherry & White will be experiencing their second consecutive Grand Final, or already have experienced a Grand Final at some stage in their career.

There could be a couple of debutants in the Wigan side, however, including Young Player of the Year, Junior Nsemba, and there will certainly be a number of Hull KR players walking out Old Trafford for the first time.

With a message to those players, French said:

“Just to enjoy it and embrace it. It’s why you start playing rugby league – to play at a stadium like that and in Grand Finals. It might not ever happen again either, so the main thing is to take it for what it is.

“It’s what inspires you as a child when you’re watching and you see the sold-out stadiums, the fireworks, the celebrations.

“I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I am at Wigan and be a part of the club. We’ve got to experience a lot of silverware especially in these past 12 months, and as I said before, the feeling is contagious which makes us want to keep doing it over and over.”

Tickets for the Betfred Super League Grand Final are on sale now, but hurry as tickets are selling fast!

Will you be joining us on Saturday 12 October? Tickets start at just £30 for adults, and £15 for juniors - secure your place today at the biggest night in Rugby League!

The Betfred Super League Grand Final will also be shown live and exclusively on Sky Sports (K.O. 6pm).