YORKSHIREMAN Stuart Fielden experienced the passion of many a Bradford-Leeds derby in eight seasons with the Bulls but reckons it will pale into insignificance compared to Wigan-St Helens.
The Wigan prop expects the atmosphere to be lifted to a new level.
“I always maintain that Leeds and Bradford supporters back then never hated each other as much as Wigan and Saints people do,” said Fielden, who made his shock move over the Pennines in the summer of 2006.
“They really do detest each other.
“It was more mutual respect perhaps with Leeds and Bradford.
“Don’t get me wrong, they didn’t like each other. But with Wigan and Saints, it does seem that the only thing on their minds is beating the other team.”
Fielden won his third Grand Final with the Bulls in 2005 and never expected to have to wait five years for his next trip to Old Trafford.
He followed his Bradford mentor Brian Noble to the Warriors with high expectations following his world record £450,000 transfer but was involved in a relegation scrap.
“It was a hard pill to swallow and it’s good to finally shake the monkey off our back,” said Fielden, whose own improvement in form has mirrored that of the team.
