Isn't it great to see Wigan back at the top of rugby league's Super League? They've been away for far too long. All sports fans will remember the cherry and whites in their pomp, when the likes of Martin Offiah and Shaun Edwards rampaged through opposition defences in the 1990's but, since the turn of the century, Wigan have, by their lofty standards, experienced lean times whilst the likes of Leeds and St Helens have bossed the English game. I declare an interest here because I managed to get a game (well, 3 minutes before half-time, 12 minutes after half-time, and then the final 5 minutes) for Wigan at the JJB Stadium (as it was then called) against St Helens on Boxing Day 9 years' ago. This was the Wigan of Andy Farrell, Denis Betts and Gary Connolly and "we" managed to beat our arch rivals comfortably. Memories of that day for me include being tackled by Paul Wellens andPaul Sculthorpe simultaneously, Riki Bibey throwing up in the changing room through nerves before, the theme tune to "Gladiator" being played as we emerged from the tunnel, and the victory celebrations at the end. I see Denis Betts from time to time as he is a coach at Gloucester RUFC, and his parting shot is always this: "We never lost when you played for us!" Technically that's true, and I remain very proud to have worn the famous jersey.
