Super League side Wigan Warriors announced plans to play its Super League Super 8s home game "against Catalans Dragons at the Den in south London," according to SKY SPORTS. Warriors "will break new ground by becoming the first club to take a Super League game to London" when it takes on its French rivals at the home of League One side Millwall on Sept. 5. Wigan Chair Ian Lenagan "has long been an advocate of growing rugby league in the capital and has promised a showpiece event for those in attendance." In a statement, he said, "This is no half-hearted measure. It has been well planned and is underpinned by a strong community programme, the development of our London Business Club and the opening of Wigan's office on Buckingham Palace Road" (SKY SPORTS, 7/29). WIGAN TODAY's Tom McCooey wrote season ticket holders "will be offered free travel to the Millwall FC ground and the club is currently finalising the finer details including ticketing and travel arrangements -- including free priority seating for season ticket holders." Lenagan "is aware not all fans have embraced the venture wholeheartedly but hopes they will support the event." He said, "We understand that some of our fans in and around Wigan may feel a little disgruntled by the move. However, we sincerely hope that they can understand the opportunity this provides us to grow as a club." Super League GM Blake Solly "has high hopes for the fixture." He said, "Many fans complain that Rugby League doesn’t command the profile of other sports and tell us that they want to see rugby league competing with the likes of rugby union, cricket and football on a national scale with a higher media profile" (WIGAN TODAY, 7/29).
