Wigan Warriors scored six tries to reach their third World Cup final in five years; Jack Farrimond and Zach Eckersley both registered two tries in the 32-0 victory; Wembley Stadium will host the final on May 30
Last updated: 09/05/26 5:07pm
Wigan’s Jack Farrimond celebrates scoring a try against St Helens
Wigan Warriors called for a defensive effort to crush rivals St Helens 32-0 and book a return to Wembley Stadium for the Betfred Challenge Cup final later this month.
Jack Farrimond and Zach Eckersley got a brace to do the damage on the scoreboard as Matt Peet’s men overturned their recent Super League struggles in emphatic fashion at Warrington.
But the result told only half the story as the record 21-time winners were forced to fend off wave after wave of Saints attacks before taking their chances in clinical fashion.
Wigan will now face either Warrington Wolves or Hull KR in the final on May 30, as they look to win the Challenge Cup for the third time in five seasons.
Wigan beat Saints to secure Wembley return
In the hunt for their first final since 2021, Saints go in as undisputed favorites after winning their last five in all competitions – including a surprise Good Friday success against their ailing rivals.
Paul Rowley’s side rallied from losing Matty Lees in the first minute with a knee injury to dominate first place but will be severely punished for failing to make that dominance count.
Wigan took the lead in their first attack after a moment of brilliance from Brad O’Neill. Hook raced forward and moved two Saints, played two clean plays with Jay Field before offloading Farrimond to score the opening goal.
Farrimond scored two tries for Wigan in their dramatic victory
Adam Keighran kicked a penalty but the Saints responded by continuing to pile on the pressure. Lewis Murphy was guilty of wasting another good chance, while Jackson Hastings was denied by a frantic Wigan defense on their try line.
Wigan stepped things up in the final 10 minutes of the half. Farrimond’s clever kick was assisted by Keighran and Eckersley pounced on the loose ball to put his side into double figures.
Eckersley produced an acrobatic move to close in the second corner after some excellent work from Farrimond, whose pass to Keighran created space for his team-mate to send the winger over.
Wigan last won the Challenge Cup in 2024
Saints’ first-half woes ended just before the hooter when Joe Shorrocks’ short pass was intercepted by Jake Wardle for Wigan’s fourth, and Harry Smith made it 22-0 at the break.
The Saints came out firing after the break, piling on the pressure behind Smith’s knock, but despite unleashing their battering rams they couldn’t find a way to break down a strong Wigan defence.
Alex Walmsley, Deon Cross and Jack Welsby all went within inches to no avail, and as the minutes ticked away Saints’ frustration began to mount, and Welsby was sin-binned with 15 left after a ruck challenge.
Tempers began to heat up in the dying stages but Wigan held on admirably, slowly ending any hopes they had of fighting back into the game.
Fittingly, a scoreless second half was broken in the 75th minute when the outstanding Farrimond slotted home Wigan’s fifth, and Smith’s superb kick sent Keighran over to complete their victory on the hooter.
What’s next?
The other semi-final takes place on Sunday, when Warrington Wolves host defending champions Hull KR in a replay of last year’s final (kick-off 4pm). The final will then take place at Wembley Stadium on May 30.
St Helens return to Super League action on Thursday when they visit Huddersfield Giants, live on Sky Sports+ from 8pm. Wigan host Leeds Rhinos on Friday, live from 7.30pm on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports+.
Sky Sports will also show every Super League game live this season – including two games from each round live exclusively, with the remaining five games each week shown on Sky Sports+
