Jonny Lomax expects Wigan to battle hard to avoid whitewashing

The surprising lack TV cameras for the biggest derby in rugby league will ensure that the ground will be packed to the rafters as Saints try to add to their past two wins over the champions.

On-song Saints half back Jonny Lomax, who has been skippering the side in the absence of James Roby, is relishing the clash - but declares that form and position go out of the window for this.

His outlook is shaped by his own growing up in Billinge - in between the rival towns with friends in both camps over the years.

Lomax said: “It may be one versus four but it is a massive derby match, it is the biggest rivalry given we are up the road from each other.

“Being like where I am from ­— Wigan postcode, but St Helens Council it is all anyone speaks about for weeks leading up to the game.

“Living so close to the border and playing at Orrell St James it is something I have always been part of.

“I have always had rivalry between some good mates going back to the town teams days when half would go with St Helens and the others with Wigan.

“When people talk about mixed identity, I think Wello put it the best way when he said ‘you are just on the front line’.

After languishing in the lower reaches after Saints had beaten them for a second time after Good Friday, Wigan have strung together five wins and have climbed to fourth.

Saints know that the hunger they will have ­— just like last year - to avoid the 3-0 whitewashing will be a strong motivation.

And despite consecutive good wins over top three Warrington and Hull FC, this is expected to be their toughest game.

“We all knew that Wigan were going to come good.

“They were Champions last year for a reason and they always turn it on for the big games.

“Wigan are a champion side and they are sat in fourth now and that is something we have to rise to again."

The game kicks off at 7.45pm and there are now fewer than 200 tickets available in the Saints part of the ground.