Paul predicts Wigan glory

Paul knows what it takes to win a Grand Final

By BBC Sport Online's Sean Martin

Henry Paul knows what it takes to win a Grand Final which is why he is backing his former side, Wigan, to triumph in Saturday's Super League climx.

The 26-year-old Bradford Bulls stand-off received a winner's medal in his final year with Wigan before shifting across the M62 to join his brother Robbie at the Bulls.

Both suffered at the hands of Wigan in last week's semi-final and Henry is dejected at not making it to Old Trafford.

But his disappointment aside, he believes his former team-mates will have the beating of Saints.

In all areas, in all departments Wigan have the edge

  Henry Paul

"After playing both teams I have to give Wigan my backing for the Grand Final. In all areas, in all departments they have the edge.

"If they can get their enthusiasm like they did when we played them then they have the beating of St Helens.

"I'm not saying that because I'm ex-Wigan but when I was with them we played St Helens about 18 times and we beat them on 16 times.

Big game player: Andy Farrell

"In the big games someone tends to turn up like Jason Robinson and Andrew Farrell to produce a big play or one of the other Wigan players and I think they defend well."

St Helens have had an extra week to prepare for the final after destroying a poor Wigan in the first semi-final but Henry does not believe it will have a bearing on the outcome.

"The extra week off might help them in the final but when it comes down to it, when you backs are against the wall, it's the mental side which comes through.

Special players

"Saints have special players like Sean Long and their wingers can scoire tries from all over the place but it is just that I think Wigan's defence will turn up on the night.

"They are big game specialists and they'll be able to close down a lot of what St Helens have to offer."

Yet despite Henry's confidence in Wigan, and pride in what coach Frank Endacott (also Henry's coach at international level) has achieved in his first year in charge, he knows a team can boss a match and still end up losing.

"It's all on the night. Last year we were beating St Helens all over the park and yet we still lost by two points - anything can happen."

After playing in numerous macthes against St Helens in his time at Wigan he knows what to expect in the final.

"There'll be a lot of big hits and it'll be fiery - Wigan and St Helens matches are always fiery."