Liam Marshall insists there is no danger of Wigan getting “full of ourselves” as they look to wrap-up the League Leaders’ Shield tonight.
The Warriors are top of the league with one round remaining – at their derby rivals and Challenge Cup winners Leigh.
Victory would almost-secure top spot heading into the play-offs, while a defeat would allow second-placed Catalans or St Helens, in third – who are locked on points with Wigan – to snatch the League Leaders’ Shield.
Matt Peet’s side have recovered from a rocky spell to win seven in a row, but winger Marshall is not getting ahead of himself.
Embed from Getty ImagesHe said: “A few weeks ago the shield was not even on our radar.
“We first need to the get win this week and get advantage and a week off.”
Should Wigan finish the top two, they will get a bye in the first round of the play-offs meaning that there is one less game to play on their route to the Grand Final.
The Warriors’ seven-game winning run includes big scoring victories against Hull KR, Catalans and their bitter rivals Leeds Rhinos, as well as putting 48 past Castleford in their last outing.
But Marshall said: “Whilst it is important to continue with the successes we have had… we have to make sure we do not get full off ourselves.”
Wigan have only done the League Leaders Shield and Grand Final double twice.
Yet having done so well to put themselves in pole position, Peet says their next three matches will shape their season.
He said: “The message to the players is everything we have worked on all year, we have to execute three consecutive games for our season to be deemed a success.”
He described tonight’s trip to Leigh, coached by ex-Warriors boss Adrian Lam, as an “important game and big occasion” but downplayed the “final feel” surrounding the derby.
England forward Liam Farrell is expected to be back in the squad tonight after missing the last fixture against Castleford as a precaution with a tight calf.
But the Cherry and Whites are without prop Liam Byrne, who picked up an injury against the Rhinos and is out until the start of 2024. There are no fresh injury concerns with Ethan Havard, Willie Isa and Mike Cooper all still out.
