Super League set for fantastic finish

Andy Farrell: Needs five goals to equal the club record of 186

Wigan v St Helens - Super League Grand Final, Old Trafford 14 October 17:00BST. Live webcast of Five Live commentary on BBC Sport Online

Wigan and St Helens meet in Saturday's Tetley's Bitter Super League Grand Final in what promises to be a fitting climax to a wonderful season.

The clash, which takes place at Old Trafford, sees two of the sport's top sides come face to face after they successfully negotiated their way through a play-off series that also involved Bradford Bulls, Castleford and Leeds Rhinos.

The game will be particularly significant for Wigan-born Man of Steel Sean Long who will be looking to put one over his home town club.

  Previous meetings

1999: Wigan 12-14 St Helens

1999: St Helens 18-24 Wigan

1999: Wigan 28-20 St Helens

2000: St Helens 38-14 Wigan

2000: St Helens 4-42 Wigan

2000: Wigan 28-30 St Helens

2000 Play-off: Wigan 16-54 St Helens

Long, who now plays with the Saints, took his points tally for the season to 412 with nine goals and two tries in their stunning 54-16 win at Wigan in their last match and is clearly one of the danger men for the Warriors.

Lee Gilmour, who played in the second row for Wigan in the 1998 final, has been given the nod to fill in at centre after Gary Connolly finally admitted defeat in his battle to recover from an ankle injury.

Contenders

Reserve hooker Mark Smith and utility back Wes Davies are the contenders to take over Gilmour's place on the bench.

Captain Andy Farrell is almost certain to continue at loose forward following his successful switch against Bradford, with Tony Smith partnering Willie Peters at half-back.

St Helens will give a late fitness test to centre Paul Newlove, who injured a knee in their 54-16 win at the JJB Stadium a fortnight ago.

Coach Ian Millward said: "We will give Paul as long as possible before making a decision."

Inside

If Newlove fails to make it, Sean Hoppe will move inside and Steve Hall will go onto the wing.

Wigan captain Andrew Farrell goes into the last game of the season needing five goals to equal the club record of 186 set by Frano Botica in 1995 while team-mate Jason Robinson will bow out of rugby league aiming to add to his phenomenal 184-try tally.

BBC Five Live has full coverage of Saturday's final at Old Trafford and BBC Sport Online will have a live webcast from 1800 BST.

There are TV highlights on BBC North's Super League Show on Sunday from 1115 to 1200 BST.