Wigan win League Leaders' Shield as Farrell scores in 50-12 Catalans victory

Wigan Warriors secured the League Leaders' Shield with a 50-12 home victory over Catalans Dragons on Friday, keeping their domestic treble bid alive. Sky Sports reported that the final-round win confirmed top spot in Super League, adding another trophy to the Challenge Cup they won against Hull KR at Wembley in May.

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Liam Marshall scored twice as Wigan registered nine tries. Harry Smith, Brad O'Neill, Liam Farrell, Austin Daniel, Jai Field, Zach Eckersley and Adam Keighran also crossed, with Keighran supplying seven conversions. The Guardian reported that Wigan led 24-6 at half-time and extended their league winning run to 15 matches.

The result also settled the contest with Leeds Rhinos for first place. Leeds were the only other team still able to take the Shield, but lost 18-12 at home to Hull FC.

For Farrell, the trophy arrived just days after his retirement announcement. Super League confirmed on September 6 that the Wigan captain would stop playing at the end of the season after 17 professional campaigns with the club. He came through Wigan's scholarship and academy system, having previously played junior rugby for Wigan St Patrick's, and made his senior debut against Wakefield in April 2010.

Farrell took over the captaincy from Thomas Leuluai in 2023. The retirement announcement listed six Super League titles, five Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenge victories among his achievements, alongside 12 England appearances. The same announcement recorded five selections for the Super League Dream Team and a Harry Sunderland Trophy among his individual honours. His connection with Wigan will continue beyond his playing career: chief executive Kris Radlinski said Farrell would remain at the club in a strength-and-conditioning role after completing qualifications while still playing, and would help develop future leaders.

Wigan and Leeds now have a week off before home semi-finals. The Grand Final is scheduled for October 3 at Old Trafford, where Wigan will seek the third trophy needed to complete their treble.