More than 17,500 tickets have already been sold for Good Friday clash between Wigan Warriors and St Helens.

In 2005, a Super League record crowd of 25,004 watched the corresponding game, and with such strong sales two weeks before the game club officials are hopeful of another huge crowd.

Warriors Marketing Director Simon Collinson said: "We are delighted with the current sales and are aiming to beat our previous crowd record for this game.

"Wigan-Saints games are always special affairs, but even more so when the two teams meet at the JJB Stadium on Good Friday.

"It will be an unbelievable atmosphere, a great occasion and a fantastic game and we are urging all supporters to secure their tickets for this game in advance of match day."

Warriors Australian stand-off Trent Barrett added: "This will be my first Wigan-Saints derby and I'm really looking forward to experiencing the intense rivalry between these two great clubs.

"It is widely acknowledged as the biggest derby in Rugby League and the boys have all told me how good these games are to play in."

Tickets are available via the new Warriors Ticket Hotline on 0871 66-33-552, website at www.wiganwarriors.com/etickets and through the JJB Stadium Ticket Office.

St Helens fans can purchase tickets from the Knowsley Road Ticket Office or the Saints Ticket Hotline on 0870 120 1118.