SAINTS will clinch the League Leaders Shield on home soil on Friday night if they beat second-placed rivals Wigan.

The game has plenty riding on it, with Saints out to complete a clean sweep over the Warriors having already beaten them twice this term.

It is not a game coach Justin Holbrook need to do much to fire his players up for; they motivate themselves.

Holbrook said: “They feel as a coach you don’t need to do too much – whatever drill or activity we are doing, they do so with more intensity, a bit harder and faster.

“We don’t need to motivate the players.”

But Wigan will be keen to spoil the Saints party and lay down a marker for the knockout stages, where the teams could meet again.

Holbrook said: “I understand that Wigan will have extra motivation because we have beaten them twice already this year and if we win we get the League Leaders Shield.

“They will be using all that.

“The team don’t need any extra motivation – we have our standards and it is the most important fixture and the team we want to beat.

“We have a lot of respect for them as a club.

“They have some great players in that squad – and it is a healthy rivalry.

After a poor run of results in June, coinciding with Shaun Wane’s announcing his departure at the end of the year, Wigan have confounded critics to get their season back on track.

Holbrook said: “They have responded.

“They are a good, well-coached side. It did look like they were stumbling a little bit, but they are sitting second and in a good spot.”

Holbrook singled out full back Sam Tomkins as being a key man in the Wigan ranks.

And with Saints’ number Ben Barba now fully fit after a series of niggles, that could throw up an interesting duel.

Holbrook added: “Sam Tomkins is playing phenomenal.

"This past month he has played brilliantly.

“If you look at Wigan, George Williams is back, John Bateman is going well, and if Sean O’Loughlin has been a great player for a long time. They have a strong pack too.

“They are a dangerous side but for me Tomkins has been playing really well.

“He always plays well against us – he is a real competitor and will definitely be one to watch.

“Benny has had a real good chance to get over his niggles and he has been brilliant for us at training this week. I am expecting him to play well on Friday.”