Leeds Rhinos–Wigan Warriors rivalry

The Leeds Rhinos–Wigan Warriors rivalry, recently branded as the War of the Roses derby,[1] is a rugby league rivalry born from the roses rivalry and strong competitive history between the clubs with them both being considered two of the best in England.

Leeds Rhinos–Wigan Warriors rivalry
The War of the Roses Derby
Post match at a Wigan Leeds game in 2009
LocationNorthern England
Teams Leeds Rhinos
Wigan Warriors
First meeting4 January 1896
(Wigan Warriors 11–5 Leeds Rhinos)
Latest meeting21 July 2022
(Leeds Rhinos 42–12 Wigan Warriors)
StadiumsHeadingley
DW Stadium
Statistics
Meetings total168
Most winsWigan (97)

History

Locations of Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors.

The rivalry between Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors is the primary representation of the roses rivalry in rugby league. Both clubs are the most decorated in their respective counties and have 33 league championships between them to date (beaten only by the collective hall of St Helens and Wigan Warriors at 38). The rivalry has been described as the most underrated rivalry in British rugby league, and having the grounds to be placed with the aforementioned Good Friday Derby between St Helens and Wigan and the Hull Derby.[2] The rivalry was not present in the early years of rugby league, despite both clubs being founder members of the NRFU, with Leeds not winning their first league title until 1961. From then, the competitive rivalry started to intensify, but it wasn't until Wigan's period of dominance in the late 80s and 90s then Leeds's dominance in the late 00s and early 10s which saw both teams win the treble in their respective periods and the rivalry become what it is today.[2]

Headingley (left) and the DW Stadium (right) are the homes of Leeds Rhinos and Wigan Warriors.

Name

Since the discontinuation of the county origin series War of the Roses in 2003, the Leeds-Wigan rivalry has seemingly inherited the name in the years since only adding to the rivalry's intensity.[1] As representatives of the largest cities in each county (Leeds and Manchester), the term "Roses Derby" is often used to describe matches between sports teams from these cities, the term has been used for a greater period of time to describe matches in football and cricket. Historically, the term referred to the rivalry between the House of Lancaster and the House of York in the counties where both clubs are located get their name.

Head to Head

Statistics correct as of 19/8/22[3]

In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:

Played Leeds Drawn Wigan
168 63 8 97

Meetings in major finals

Collective Honours

As of the 2022 Challenge Cup Final
Leeds Rhinos Honour Wigan Warriors
Rank No. No. Rank
3rd 11 League Championships 22 1st
3rd 9 League Leaders 22 1st
2nd 14 Challenge Cup 20 1st
4th 2 Premiership 6 1st
2nd 4 League Cup 8 1st
0 Charity Shield 4 1st
3rd 3 World Club Challenge 4 2nd
1st 15 Yorkshire / Lancashire League 18 1st
1st 17 Yorkshire / Lancashire Cup 21 1st
5th 1 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy 1 5th

See also

Notes

    References

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