Sports editor Mike Parsons takes a close look at some of the head-to-head battles to watch for in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday

*** Jack Hughes v John Bateman ***

The arrival of England Academy captain Bateman from Bradford Bulls in 2014 along with the return of Warrington-born Joel Tomkins from rugby union left Hughes with few chances to cement a regular second-row slot in the Wigan team.

Wiganer Hughes joined The Wire, via a 12-month loan at Huddersfield Giants, for 2016 and proved to be a strong replacement on the right for Ben Westwood, following his switch to a front-row role off the bench.

Hughes' athletic agility to clean up in defence, the pace of a second centre and silky handling skills all helped him to settle in quickly on the right, but Ben Currie’s torn ACL in the recent loss to Wigan has meant a switch to the left and a Grand Final duel to savour with his former teammate.

Three years ago Hughes came off the bench to help Wigan beat Wolves at Old Trafford.

Bateman, who had previously turned down Warrington, is arguably Wigan’s best player this season and making up for lost time after an internal suspension part way through this year.

What he lacks in size he makes up for in aggression, desire, endeavour and a never-say-die spirit that inspires teammates around him.

His offloads can ruin a team that does not clamp him down and the senior England international scored a superb opportunist try to help Wigan overcome Hull in Friday’s semi final.

*** Tom Lineham v Lewis Tierney ***

A few weeks ago this would have seemed an unlikely match-up should their sides reach Old Trafford.

Lineham, a high profile £140,000 signing from Hull FC last winter, was unable to regain a place in the Wolves team and spent nine matches on the sidelines.

Meanwhile Tierney, the son of former Wigan, Great Britain and England rugby union star Jason Robinson, is usually a full back but helping out on the wing due to injuries.

However, these contrasting flank men are bang in form and potential match-winners at Old Trafford.

Lineham marked his comeback with two key tries in the League Leaders’ Shield decider with his former club a fortnight ago, and also crossed for the decisive score in the semi-final success over St Helens on Thursday.

He is fast and agile for a big man and that makes him a lethal weapon from distance, close range or for acrobatic scoring acts close to the corner post.

Tierney is more like his dad, having the ability to dodge his way through defences with his scorching speed and bamboozling footwork.

Wolves found that out to their cost three weeks ago when he scored twice in the Wigan revival that blocked The Wire’s first shot at lifting the League Leaders’ Shield.

And he bagged two more in Wigan’s semi-final victory over Hull last time out.

Tierney will make history on Saturday as the first son to follow a dad in contesting the Super League Grand Final.

*** Kurt Gidley v George Williams ***

These two make their teams tick and in many ways.

Gidley has been there and worn the t-shirt at the top level for 16 years, though after leaving Newcastle Knights to join Wolves this year this is his first Grand Final.

Yet Williams, still only 21, is set to make his third appearance in the Super League decider after starting at stand off last year against Leeds and coming off the bench against St Helens in 2014. He is yet to win one though.

Gidley, 34, who has represented New South Wales in State of Origin as well as Australia in Test matches, is Warrington’s leading game manager on the pitch, a master tactician and orchestrator as well as being a model professional.

He gets his hands dirty, but it is his job to get the best out of the players around him too.

Gidley, whose tactical kicking is important to the team’s success, has scored some important tries for the team this year too, catching defences off guard while they wait to see what he is going to do next.

Williams is a different kind of stand off, with his support play being one of his stand-out qualities.

He has deceptive pace that causes problems, can be difficult to pin down when playing off-the-cuff and has fine handling skills to compliment the more structured style of half back partner Matty Smith.

Williams also shows a knack for creating space and tries for others as he taunts and teases defences with great skill.

When Gidley and Williams are on form, their teams usually are too.