New York? Cape Town? Thailand? Barbados? Bring them all on. The message from Wigan Warriors head coach Matt Peet.
The all-conquering Warriors man, back winning trophies after last Saturday’s Challenge Cup victory at Wembley, takes his side to Paris this weekend to take on Catalans Dragons.
And while it may be a regular round Super League fixture in name, for Peet, there’s the sense of the big occasion once again, with Wigan – who have played at grounds from Millwall to Wollongong in recent years – now testing the waters at the Stade Jean-Bouin – adjacent to the home of European football champions Paris St Germain.
The celebration? 20 years of Catalans in Super League. Make no mistake about it, this is a big one.
“It’s an exciting event,” Peet told All Out Rugby League. “I think it’s innovative, and I think it gets rugby league on the map in a capital city and one of the great cities in the world.
“The players are excited about it. It’ll bring media attention and some excitement for fans from both clubs. I’m very confident that the game will deliver.
“We’re excited. It’s a unique one and it’s one we’re going to embrace. The lads are buzzing at the moment and the energy in the club is great.
“I think there’s a lot of good feelings, so it’s more important that we tap into that and ride that wave, but we’re under no illusions that we’ll have to be very good to get the win in this game.”
Celebrating two decades of Catalans in Super League, Peet knows all about what the Perpignan-based side is all about.
The Dragons met Wigan in the 2023 Grand Final, their second visit to Old Trafford after cup success in 2018.
A beautiful part of the world, Catalans, from their 38-30 victory over Wigan in their very first Super League game back in 2006, has always intrigued, and for Peet, this is a time to celebrate it.
“My experiences have always been fantastic around Catalans and French rugby league,” Peet said. “I think there’s a genuine appetite for rugby league in that area of the world.
“And then I think about the way the club has been led and some of the players they’ve brought to the competition – the French players right through from Laurent Frayssinous and Thomas Bosc and the current ones – but also some of the overseas superstars that they’ve probably been able to entice over because it’s a nice part of the world.
“When you look at the heritage board of Catalans players at the stadium, there are some of the best names that ever played the game (Stacey Jones, Steve Menzies, and James Maloney, to name a few), but I always have a good read of it, and you forget some of the unbelievable players that have been brought to Super League via Catalans.
“I think it’s been a great occasion for British supporters to go over there as well and enjoy the sun and the Catalans’ hospitality.
“Games against Catalans have always been very competitive games; particularly in the last 10 years or so, they’ve been involved in the Grand Finals and Challenge Cups. Long may it continue.”
And as for expansion and on-the-road fixtures, Peet is all for trying new things.
“We play in enough cold, wet towns and areas in the North of England, so I think it should be somewhere where it’s a bit warmer,” Peet said.
“Cape Town in South Africa could be great. Thailand. Barbados. Somewhere warm, I’m saying.
“It’s exciting to see rugby league being played in places like Las Vegas, Paris, and Dublin.
“I think it just sounds like a big deal, doesn’t it, to put it on the map, so to speak, and get new eyeballs on the sport.
“It also gives our supporters an opportunity to travel and experience these places. It’s something I’m all for; whether it’s Dublin or New York, I’m all for it.”
