Wigan Warriors vs Catalans Dragons Super League Grand Final Betting Tips: Predictions & Best Bets

The 2023 Super League season has been one of the most memorable in recent times and the Grand Final is finally upon us. Wigan Warriors are hunting a first title since 2018, while the Catalans Dragons seek to become champions for the first time in their history. Plenty of sub plots and stories are waiting to be written at Old Trafford and Billy Grimshaw has previewed the game for us with two recommended bets...

Questions abound in the insecure, frail world of rugby league fandom over the merits of the multitude of league structures the sport has played under throughout its history. There are plenty who would prefer a first past the post system to decide the league champions a la the Premier League in football in England, while others insist the genie is now out of the bottle in terms of a money spinning event like the Grand Final.

In a sport strapped for cash, it seems unlikely the big night at Old Trafford will ever be scrapped and although those yearning for a return to first past the post will grumble, at least this season we see the top two teams in the league table competing for the big prize.

For the first time in five years the name on the Super League trophy will not be St Helens, after the dynasty was ended by a scurge of the Saints over the years in veteran full back Sam Tomkins. His last gasp try for Catalans Dragons in Perpignan sent the Stade Gilbert Brutus into a frenzy and brought tears aplenty for St Helens fans, but was reacted to with glee across Billinge Hill in Wigan as their former star Tomkins once again kicked the Saints where it hurt and ended the 'Drive For Five'.

Wigan fans may rue their celebrations at their great rival’s expense come Saturday as the Tomkins inspired Dragons will be a mighty tough test for the table topping Warriors. Wigan have been the form side in the second half of the season and are rightful favourites after blowing away Hull KR on Saturday in their Grand Final eliminator with minimal fuss.

The story, however, is all about the Dragons. Tomkins and half back star Mitchell Pearce will bring the curtain down on their glittering respective careers at Old Trafford and with the Catalonians still smarting after a controversial loss in the 2021 showpiece, they will be as fired up as ever to give their departing legends the perfect send off and to create a bit of rugby league history.

Super League Grand Final Tips

Unfortunately for rugby league expansionists who dream of the Dragons finally vindicating their introduction to top level English rugby league way back in 2006, I do think the odds compilers have called this one right in making Wigan slight favourites. After a solid but unspectacular start to the Super League season, in contrast to the Dragons who along with Warrington were setting the pace, Wigan have hit their straps in style over the last few months and now look undeniably the best team in the competition.

Young half back Harry Smith has taken marked steps forward in his game and is now comfortable controlling the side, but their star man has undoubtedly been his stand off Bevan French.

Named in the Super League dream team for a third consecutive season and in a different position each time, French picked up the prestigious Steve Prescott Man Of Steel award in the week as he was crowned the competition's best player. Few can argue with that accolade as his try scoring and assisting stats have to be seen to be believed. French is the most elusive player in the Super League and has pace to burn, but this season has really shown off his passing and short kicking game.

Catalans will have to stop him and rapid full back and partner in crime Jai Field from clicking or else this game could get away from them fast, and even if they do Wigan have the edge in the three quarter line, but with the wingers a match for each other it is worth remembering Grand Finals are often played in conditions more suited to the grind than the glamour and that'll suit the Dragons.

The weather looks decent enough in Manchester come Saturday night but this game will undoubtedly be won and lost in the forwards come rain or shine and on both pack's best day, which I assume we will see, the Dragons have the edge. McMeeken, Bousquet and Taukeiaho are prop forwards matching anything in this hemisphere and although Wigan have bolstered their front row considerably with the mid season arrival of Tyler Dupree, Michael Mcllorum at hooker for Catalans will bring yet more defensive steel to the Dragons which Wigan youngster Brad O'Neill does not yet quite match.

The back rows of each side are too close to call in a match up and the benches are both packed with workhorses, so with Catalans holding (in my view) a slight advantage in the forwards, this game should be tight and with a four point start they are the bet.

Tyrone May Man Of The Match

Over the years there have been a few winners of the Harry Sunderland trophy for man of the match in the losing side in Grand Finals, with the last one being Stefan Ratchford for a losing Warrington side back in 2018. As I have outlined I think this game will be tight, as the 2018 final was, with the journalists that vote for the award having to do so ten or so minutes before full time when the result will still be in the balance.

There are a multitude of candidates who could scoop this award, of course Tomkins in his final game would be some story while Mcllorum would be a fitting winner against the side that discarded him as yesterday's news four years ago.

In Cherry and White Bevan French is the right favourite but Harry Smith could win the game for the Warriors with his in play kicking game (the less said about his conversions the better) and Jai Field is always dangerous at 1.

A plethora of forwards could play big minutes and wow the stats boffins, just like Luke Thompson did with a remarkable 80 minute stint to scoop the award in 2019. Mitchell Pearce for the Catalans Dragons could also be the general that leads them to their first ever Super League trophy and be chosen by the journalists for the Harry Sunderland, but at a bigger price I like his half back partner Tyrone May to be the star man.

Old Trafford may not host the Grand Final for much longer if the Glazers in control of Manchester United continue to allow the iconic venue to rot, but for the next few years at least the game will be played at United's home ground. One thing this guarantees is a crazily short in goal area for teams to try to score in and defend. There have been plenty of lucky escapes for rugby league with players crashing off the edge of the pitch and into the advertising boards at a rate of knots, but what these little in goals do allow for is short kicking experts to really exhibit their craft.

May is a brilliant attacking kicker when in the opposition's danger zone and the stand off who is also leaving Catalan for Hull KR next season could well be key if the Dragons are to strangle the game away from Wigan. At 18/1 he looks a fair bet to scoop the gong as although his story is less high profile than Tomkins or French, his ability is unquestionable.