English rugby league's fiercest rivals will clash once again when St Helens face defending champions Wigan in the Super League Grand Final at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground on Saturday.
There are barely eight miles between the two Lancashire towns making this weekend's clash not just a matter of deciding the Super League champions but a contest for local pride.
For the players involved, and especially those from overseas, it can be all a bit overwhelming but Wigan full-back Matty Bowen hopes his previous experience will stand him in good stead.
Bowen arrived in Europe earlier this year with big boots to fill, replacing 2012 Man of Steel Sam Tomkins after the latter's switch to the NRL and New Zealand Warriors.
After more than a decade with North Queensland Cowboys Bowen endeared himself to the supporters and earned international acclaim, but no NRL titles.
The 32-year-old called time on that quest and went in search of the Super League crown instead -- now just St Helens stand in his way.
And Bowen, who lost the 2005 NRL Grand Final with the Cowboys to Wests Tigers, knows the magnitude of Saturday's showdown as Wigan, who also won the Challenge Cup last season, go on the hunt for silverware once again.
"Some players are different but for me I try and relax," said Bowen.
"If you get too excited at the start of the week you can go into a game drained out. Chances like this don't come around often, so I'm going to take it with both hands.
"I've had messages from back home, they're getting up early in the morning to watch it.
"I'm looking forward to it. I just want to play well this weekend for the Wigan fans and for ourselves.
"This is why I came over (to Europe), to play in the big games and we've got a chance this weekend.
"The last time I played in a Grand Final was nine years ago. I've waited a long time for a chance to do it again. Hopefully we get a better result than I did last time.
"The season has gone quick, it does when you're enjoying yourself. Hopefully I can finish on a high. I've really enjoyed it.
"I just love how the fans sing the whole time -- hopefully we can give them something to cheer about this weekend," he added.
- Saints' Grand Final hurt -
Unlike Bowen, St Helens have had no shortage of Grand Final appearances in recent years, losing five on the bounce immediately after they last lifted the trophy in 2006.
This time around season-ending injuries to a handful of influential players, including former Penrith Panthers half-back Luke Walsh, had threatened to derail their campaign.
But they duly clinched the League Leaders' Shield and Auckland-born second row Sia Soliola, who makes his final St Helens appearance on Saturday before joining the Canberra Raiders, is in high spirits.
"If you think of all the injuries we've had, the chance of us going to Old Trafford probably looked slim," said Soliola.
"But we held together and full credit to the boys, everyone came together really, really well.
"We've used it as motivation, but at the same time I think we've tried to prove it more to ourselves than anybody else. We've had to adjust roles and positions, and create a new playing style.
"The boys have done a really good job, and we're now just 80 minutes away from making all those critics disappear, because winning just takes care of everything doesn't it?
"I've been there twice and not made it over the line yet, so it'd be nice to finish off that way."
Source: AFP
