The four gold stars that take pride of place as you enter Wigan Warriors’ state-of-the-art training facilities are as clear a reminder as you need about what occasions like Saturday night mean to the town. There is perhaps no place more synonymous with rugby league. Nestled in the Lancashire hillside, the town’s pride and joy has the opportunity to be crowned champions of the world for a record-equalling fifth time when they face the NRL champions, Penrith Panthers, in the World Club Challenge.
The game at the DW Stadium has been sold out for weeks and the sense of anticipation is almost palpable everywhere around town. Those who have tasted what it means to win games like these before understand more than most how grand an occasion this is.
