The Bradford-born brothers are on opposite sides in Sunday’s derby and for the first time in years Karl’s Wigan are favourites Leon Pryce believes St Helens are underdogs for Super League derby at Wigan for the first time in his five years with the club, and puts that largely down to Michael Maguire – the Australian coach who has also revived the career of his younger brother, Karl. Despite a Pryce-inspired win against Huddersfield last Friday, Saints are six points behind Wigan, who are aiming to clinch their first league double over their local rivals since 2003. “In the past we’ve always been favourites against them, but this time it’s different,” said Pryce, who joined St Helens from Bradford in 2006. “They’re top of the league and they’ve already beaten us at our place this season. The impact that Maguire has made is obvious. You know when a team is being coached well, and it’s pretty evident with Wigan.” Karl Pryce has been one of the main beneficiaries. The huge 23-year-old three-quarter had endured a nightmare three years since leaving Bradford for rugby union with Gloucester in the autumn of 2006, suffering a serious foot injury that ruined his hopes of successfully switching codes, and continued to trouble him for 12 months after he had returned to league with Wigan. Even last year, he made only four Super League starts. But he knuckled down under Maguire’s infamously tough pre-season training programme, and since being called into the first team in March he has scored 11 tries from seven appearances – four of them against the Crusaders in Wrexham, and a hat-trick at Wakefield last Sunday. “I’m really pleased for him,” his elder brother said. “He just needs to keep his head down and work hard for Maguire, who seems to be the sort of coach who demands high standards all the time. To be honest you can play a lot of years in the Super League and coaches like Maguire who know the game inside out don’t come around very often. Karl’s still young with a hell of lot of time to play, and he can achieve great things.” The Pryce brothers still live near their parents in Bradford and remain in regular touch – on Wednesday night Leon took his two young children around for their regular trip to see their uncle Karl. They have played against each other twice, after Leon had moved to St Helens and left Karl at Bradford, but never in a Wigan-Saints derby – and Karl is still waiting for his first win. “It’s going to be tricky for mum, knowing who to support,” he said. “But I won’t treat Leon any different because he’s my brother – he’s just another body to run over.” Saints have James Graham and James Roby returning from international duty but their coach, Mick Potter, has denied suggestions that Kyle Eastmond may make a surprise return from his ankle injury. Wigan, who are hoping for a 21,000 crowd, have a major injury doubt over their England loose forward Sean O’Loughlin, who suffered a thigh strain at Wakefield, his second game in 24 hours. Wigan Warriors Rugby league St Helens Super League Andy Wilson guardian.co.uk
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Leon Pryce plays underdog to brother Karl before Wigan-St Helens derby
