Wigan Warriors to face Catalans Dragons in European Club Wheelchair Championship final
- Published
Wigan became the first non-Yorkshire team to win the Wheelchair Super League in 2023
Super League champions Wigan Warriors will face French counterparts Catalans Dragons in a European Wheelchair Rugby League Club Championship final to decide the best team on the continent.
Wigan beat Leeds Rhinos to win the title in 2023, while Catalans are back-to-back Coupe de France champions.
They have the chance to emulate the men's World Club Challenge success over NRL premiers Penrith Panthers.
"It's a massive occasion," Wigan head coach Chris Greenhalgh said.
"The excitement of the players and the club as a whole is high, and we cannot wait to get out there in front of a potentially packed-out Robin Park.
"It's an excellent game to start our season as we look to build on the successes we achieved last year."
Catalans played Halifax in the inaugural 2023 event, playing out a thrilling 32-32 draw in Perpignan, and will now travel to Robin Park in Wigan for this year's final.
"Wigan were very impressive last year, and they have one of the most skilful and deadliest attacks in the world," head coach and respected player Gilles Clausells said.
"They have great teamwork, but they also have talented internationals in the squad such as world champions Adam Rigby and Dec Roberts.
"The battle will be fierce for sure but we're staying grounded and humble, we'll have to fight hard to win this game. I believe in my players but we all have a lot of respect for the great team that is Wigan Warriors."
Wigan's heritage as a spiritual home of Northern Soul music will be recognised at the event, which will have a revue feel.
"This fixture will be a celebration of Wigan and inclusivity, and we couldn't think of a better way to embrace this than by encompassing all things Northern Soul in the run-up to and during the event," Rugby Football League national social and inclusion manager Chris Godfrey said.
"This movement represented a time where inclusion and breaking down barriers were at the fore across the north of England - perfectly complementing and amplifying the values of wheelchair rugby league, as well as being synonymous with Wigan."