Wigan Warriors full-back Matt Bowen has experienced almost everything in his glittering 13-year career - but a Good Friday local derby against St Helens is breaking new ground for the full-back.
Having joined the defending Super League champions ahead of this season from the North Queensland Cowboys, Bowen is the first to admit that he has taken a while to settle.
Indeed Shaun Wane's side are only now beginning to hit their stride, last weekend's win over the London Broncos taking them into the top four for the first time this season.
Bitter local rivals Saints meanwhile have been unbeatable, with eight wins from eight, which sees them sit proudly on top of the table and has given their fans the bragging rights at the outset of the new campaign.
Bowen said he is itching to sample one of the most famous clashes rugby league has to offer.
"Obviously there has been a lot of talk about it and the rivalry between Wigan and St Helens and I can't wait for Friday - I can see what all the fuss is about," said the 32-year-old.
"They have started the season well, winning eight from eight, and we need to improve. It is going to be tough. It has been a slow start for us and obviously a busy start of the year.
"Travelling to Sydney (for the World Club Challenge) slowed us up a bit but we have been hitting some form now and it is going to be a good test this weekend.
"We are starting to get the combinations going and getting come confidence. The next couple of days are going to be tough, with the Friday game and back up on Monday."
As is customary in Super League over Easter weekend all 14 sides are playing again on Monday, and with that in mind Warrington head coach Tony Smith has a fair few fitness headaches to solve.
The Wolves host Widnes on Friday and have Ben Westwood, Simon Grix and Paul Wood on the treatment table at the moment, much to the head coach's dismay.
"I feel for both those boys (Wood and Grix) as they've both had long extensive rehabilitation and they've come up with fresh injuries," he said.
"We had a few bumps and bruises going into the game and we've got some big matches, a number of matches coming up within day of each other so we need to take care of our people."
Elsewhere Salford face Huddersfield Giants and after claiming his first win as the Red Devils new head coach last weekend, Iestyn Harris is desperate for more of the same against the current holders of the League Leaders Shield.
"There's a lot of areas we need to improve in as we go on but there were some half-decent signs and we need to make sure we work on them to move forward," said the Welshman.
"We've adjusted some things already but there is no magic wand in rugby league - it's about getting into good habits consistently, both defensively and offensively."
Fixtures
Thursday
Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos, Hull KR v Hull FC, London Broncos v Catalan Dragons
Friday
St Helens v Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves v Widnes Vikings, Wakefield Wildcats v Castleford Tigers
Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants
Source: AFP
