Stones Premiership final preview

SEAN Long is the vital weapon in Saints' armoury as they go for Stones Premiership glory at Old Trafford on Sunday.

And he would love to be the man to detonate the explosive Wigan side that could not find room for him.

Long says: "I was not given much of a chance when I was at Wigan.

"They had some good players there but I wanted regular rugby. Wigan's coach Eric Hughes had a private word with me and asked me to stay but I was sick of playing second and third fiddle all of the time.

"Joining Saints after a spell at Widnes is the best decision I have ever made and I am now relishing the chance to get one back on Wigan."

Considering the impact Long has had at Knowsley Road it is hard to believe he started only three games for the Pie Eaters - one of them being when Saints won at Central Park earlier this year.

Skipper Chris Joynt has been impressed by Long since his arrival from Widnes for £80,000 in June.

Joynt says: "I wish I had his pace! He is lightning off the mark. As games have progressed the squad has got used to Sean's play more and his performances now speak for themselves."

With the continued absence of Bobbie Goulding, Long will be Saints' chief playmaker and goal kicker in his first major final and in his first game against his former club. He is no stranger to Old Trafford though having played their twice in Academy Challenge Cup finals for Wigan - losing out to Saints on one of those occasions.

Central Park's loss has certainly been Shaun McRae's gain as Long, one of Saints' few natural blondes, has already won two man of the match awards in the Premiership run.

And he has already had the key to the door of success this week - it was his 21st birthday on Wednesday. With all his team preparations having taken priority he plans for Sunday to be celebration day.

Wigan coach Hughes would also like to get one over his former club.

He says: "This game does have a little edge for me. It would be a big lift for me if we can pull it off."

Hughes was the man St. Helens let go to bring McRea to the reins in January 1996.

The Wigan boss is an admirer of Long and has picked him out as a key man.

Hughes says: "I didn't want Sean to leave Wigan but he wanted first team rugby and I can understand that. He would not have had as much first team rugby at Wigan as he has had at St. Helens."

If Long is a potential matchwinner for Saints, then Jason Robinson is for Wigan.

The Great Britain winger has made a successful transition to the full back spot in recent weeks and many believe the move has coincided with Wigan's upsurgence in form.

Robinson says: "I am enjoying full back. It gives me the chance to do what I do best, and that's attack."

Hughes adds: "By coming up from the back Jason can hit the line wherever and whenever he wants to. And when he is retrieving kicks and running at a broken field he is a big danger to the opposition."

A Saints win on Sunday will mean the Wigan trophy cabinet will be bare for the first time in more than a decade unless they strike gold in the World Club Championship.

Saints are in the final for a record-breaking ninth time. Their last win was in 1993.

The Saints' team is expected to be the same as the one which recovered so magnificently against Castleford in last Friday's semi-final - match report inside.

Sunday's final kicks off at 3pm. The Divisional Premiership final between Phil Veivers's Huddersfield and Hull Sharks kicks off at 12.30pm.

Supporters travelling should note that engineering work on the Metrolink line will mean there will be no services between Manchester, Old Trafford and Altrincham on Sunday.

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