Wigan Warriors can confirm their place in the Super League play-offs on Saturday with a win over Catalans Dragons in London.
The second-placed Warriors will line-up against the French side at The Den, home of League One football team Millwall, in a move which the club hopes will boost the brand of both Wigan and rugby league in the capital.
Attendances for London Broncos home games have dwindled since their relegation from the elite division at the end of 2014, and Wigan are optimistic of attracting a crowd of over 10,000 to the fixture this weekend.
While moving a Super 8s fixture away from the DW Stadium has disgruntled a section of supporters, Warriors head coach Shaun Wane is excited by the prospect of showcasing a Super League game in a non-rugby league hotspot.
“I think taking a big branded club down there is the way forward,” Wane told the club’s official website.
“I love the sport, the game we have got- I think it’s the best in the world. I want more people to see it. I want the big brands and companies in London to see a great game and to see this club.
“There will be two great teams going against each other in our capital and I love the fact that we have come up with this idea as I like to do things differently.”
Top try-scorer Joe Burgess returns for the Cherry and Whites but Liam Farrell misses out after sustaining an upper-body injury in the 28-0 win over Warrington a fortnight ago.
Michael McIlorum, Anthony Gelling and Taulima Tautai are also named in the 19-man squad.
The Dragons make one change from their win at home to Castleford a fortnight ago with Thibaut Margalet replacing the suspended Ben Pomeroy.
The two games between the clubs this season have resulted in emphatic victories for the home side. Wigan ran home comfortable 34-0 winners at the DW Stadium back in April before suffering a hefty 58-16 defeat in Perpignan a month later.
Image courtesy of Super League TV, via YouTube, with thanks.
