Wigan score nine tries against Catalans to secure sixth League Leaders' Shield

Wigan Warriors secured their sixth League Leaders' Shield with a 50-12 home victory over Catalans Dragons, scoring nine tries to finish the Super League regular season on top. According to BBC Sport's match report, the result extended Wigan's winning run to 16 games and added another trophy to the Challenge Cup they lifted in May.

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The latest success marks a recovery for Matt Peet's side after a trophyless 2025, which followed their four-trophy campaign in 2024. Their position had looked very different earlier this season: Wigan were sixth when Hull KR beat them 62-4 in May. That was their fifth defeat in nine matches. They have won every game since, starting with victory over the same opponents in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

Harry Smith opened the scoring against Catalans before Ugo Tison replied with an individual try. Wigan then took control through Liam Marshall, Brad O'Neill and Liam Farrell, reaching half-time with a 24-6 advantage. Farrell's contribution came on his return from a shoulder injury that had kept him out since June, giving the captain a scoring comeback on an evening that also included recognition of his approaching retirement.

Before kick-off, Wigan's players wore warm-up shirts bearing Farrell's nickname and number after his announcement that he would retire at the end of the season. He also helped create a second-half try for Jai Field with an offload. Austin Daniel had resumed Wigan's scoring after the interval, while Zach Eckersley added his 27th try of the campaign as the hosts pulled further clear.

Adam Keighran scored as well as kicking seven goals, and Marshall completed his double. Catalans managed a late response through Alexis Lis, with Ben Garcia adding the conversion. The defeat left the visitors ninth, outside the play-offs once again. They have not reached the postseason since advancing to the 2023 Grand Final, when Wigan also beat them.

Wigan had moved above Leeds Rhinos by winning at Headingley the previous week, putting themselves in position to secure the shield. Their top-two finish brings a home play-off semi-final, with two more victories needed to complete a treble. The Warriors enter that knockout challenge with the regular-season prize secured and their long unbeaten sequence intact.