Wigan 76 Paris SG 8

WIGAN coach Graeme West appealed to the rugby league to change the rules after seeing his side demolish the Super League new boys.

The champions were awesome in their clinical destruction of the Frenchmen but West had every sympathy with his opponents' tough schedule which, for the first part of the season, forces the Paris players to compete in two competitions.

"It certainly doesn't help playing Sunday and Wednesday," said West after hearing that Paris were severely hampered with injuries because several of their players had been involved in the domestic semi-finals in mid-week.

"These players should be exempt from that competition. They should be giving the Super League priority and the treatment it deserves. They need to have a week's break between games to prepare properly."

Even accounting for the strain imposed on the Frenchmen there was a huge gulf in abilities.

Wigan were fresh after their two weeks lay-off, tackling strongly and moving the ball swiftly on attack, leaving the Frenchmen breathless with their power and pace. "We played very well," admitted West, who hardly missed the services of Kel Skerrett, who had damaged a shin falling off a ladder earlier in the day and Martin Offiah who had not quite recovered from his back problem.

Wigan were in a different class and although the Frenchmen looked lively on attack, their defence was well below par leaving Rob Smyth to celebrate a second-half hat-trick in 16 minutes, and man-of-the-match Henry Paul to also cross for three tries in a personal tally of 24 points.

The remainder of the 14 tries came from Gary Connolly (2), Simon Haughton (2), Andy Farrell, Mick Cassidy, Kris Radlinski and Craig Murdock with Farrell adding four goals and Paul six. Paris scored a last minute consolation try from Vincent Wolf which Bagdad Yaha converted. Patrick Torreilles added an early penalty.

WIGAN: Radlinski, Robinson, Tuigamala, Connolly, Smyth, Paul, Edwards, Cowie, Hall, O'Connor, Quinnell, Cassidy, Farrell, Subs: Haughton (for Cowie 26), Johnson (for Farrell 34), Murdock (for Hall HT), Baines (for Quinnell 61), Hall (for Cassidy 69), O, Connor (for Cassidy 71). Att: 10,675.

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