A DERBY game with Wigan Warriors is “as tough as it gets” in Super League, Wolves first team coach Richard Agar has said.

Wolves welcome their near neighbours to the Halliwell Jones Stadium this evening with both teams tied on 18 points at the top of Super League.

Wire won the reverse fixture at the DW Stadium earlier this month but Agar says the team are prepared for another tough encounter.

“One thing we know is that Wigan are tough, they’ve had to chop and change their team so many times this year due to injury, they’ve had to change the half backs around, change the spine of the team and it’s been a really difficult year for them,” he said.

“But they’re still level on points with us at the top so it gives you an indication of how strong and resilient the Wigan team are.

“I mean this with the greatest of respect, but last week we were playing a Widnes team who were perhaps not in the best of form but this week we are playing a team level on points with us, it’s as tough a game as is likely to come.”

Wire were roared on by around 3,000 travelling supporters in the 28-16 win four weeks ago and Agar praised the part they played in the victory.

He also called on the Wire faithful to turn out in numbers this evening and create another vociferous atmosphere.

“I think what stands out for me and most of the guys from the Wigan game a few weeks ago was the sheer number of our fans behind those posts, I think it won us the game to be honest,” he said.

“It’s very rare you see sights like that and it was a tremendous feeling coming off the field that night.

“We’ve had some great home crowds this year, we’ve filled the stadium, or nearly filled it, on a couple of occasions and hopefully we’ll see that again on Thursday night and we’ll have another rip-roaring atmosphere.”