Rio joins Wigan celebrations

Wigan fan Rio Ferdinand joined in the dressing-room celebrations after watching the Warriors rout Leeds Rhinos 50-8 at Headingley.

The Manchester United defender - a former Leeds star - is a big fan of Sam Tomkins and the full-back was at his sensational best, causing havoc in the Rhinos defence with his magical weaving runs that directly set up four of his side's nine tries.

"He loved it," coach Shaun Wane. "He's been singing the song with us. All the lads like to have him in there.

"A few weeks ago when we played Warrington, Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick came with Rio to watch and we lost so when he turned up today, I thought 'I hope he hasn't brought us any bad luck'.

"I've told him now he's coming to Catalan next week."

Wigan made light of the absence of six first-choice forwards through injury and suspension, cruising into a 26-4 half-time lead before giving 18-year-old Welshman Rhodri Lloyd a perfect introduction to Super League.

"That was an outstanding performance with the kids," added Wane. "Rhodri Lloyd has not played much rugby league but he looked fantastic.

"Sam has just said to me it's one of the most satisfying wins since he joined the club and he's had some good wins.

"It was a test for us but we showed some toughness and we executed our game plan well.

"Every now and then as a team you get together with a certain group of players and you go through a special time and we're going through that at the minute."

A second consecutive home defeat piled on the agony for Leeds, who could find themselves out of the top eight if results go against them on Sunday.

"We need to get back to the type of form that saw us beat Warrington and Catalan earlier this season and the type of performances we put in against Manly," said Leeds coach Brian McDermott.

"This same team produced those performances and they will again."

Wigan's 13th win of the season put them three points clear of Warrington, who go to Hull KR on Sunday, and four in front of Catalan Dragons, who lost ground after going down 34-30 at Salford on Friday.