Wigan Warriors (10) 12

T : Michael McIlorum 2
G : Matty Smith 2

Catalans Dragons (0) 6

T : Justin Horo
G : Pat Richards

Wigan Warriors were grateful for two early tries from hooker Michael McIlorum as they ground out an opening 12-6 First Utility Super League win over Catalans Dragons in dreadful conditions at the DW Stadium.

Last year's Grand Final runners-up were far from their fluent best but hardly needed to be against a Dragons side that simply could not get to grips with the greasy ball on a glue-pot of a pitch playing host to a third game in a week.

It was an inauspicious way for former Wigan favourite Pat Richards, one of six players making their Catalans debut, to mark his 200th Super League appearance, 10 years on from making his Warriors bow in a defeat by the Dragons in Perpignan.

McIlorum’s scores were added to by two Matty Smith goals, while Justin Horo crossed for the French side, with Richards converting.

Team sheet

Dragons : Gigot, Yaha, Inu, Duport, Richards, Carney, Myler, Anderson, Aiton, Bousquet, Stewart, Horo, Baitieri
Subs: Taylor, Pelissier, Mounis, Elima

Wigan : Tierney, Charnley, Gelling, Sarginson, Manfredi, Williams, Smith, Flower, McIlorum, O¹Loughlin, Isa, Farrell, Bateman
Subs: Clubb, Powell, Tautai, Sutton

Referee: Ben Thaler