THERE'S one question I'm being asked repeatedly right now: will Wigan Warriors be relegated from Super League?

The best answer I can give right now is this: ask me again in two weeks after they have played St Helens and Leeds.

As a former Wigan coach, I certainly hope they beat the drop. Wigan is a high-profile name in rugby league, and carries the kind of credibility you cannot really afford to lose.

Having said that, success or survival both boil down to on-field performances.

When I lost my job at the JJB Stadium, I said straight away Wigan would not be relegated.

They know what is needed, and with key players returning from injury, they are getting back to full strength.

Being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Salford could be a blessing in disguise; elimination will give Wigan three spare weekends - precious time to concentrate on Super League survival.

Wigan may need to win seven games out of 12 to stay up, with 18 points the target for survival.

Advantage

A strong run of home games in the second half of the season could prove a big advantage to them.

There is hope for Warriors; I don't think there is any more improvement to come from Castleford, and Harlequins are being dragged into the dog fight too.

Wigan's next set of games will have a major bearing on their survival chances and I'm sure the fans will certainly see some new faces in the side in the coming weeks.

There are three players who perhaps hold the key to keeping Wigan up.

Bryan Fletcher is the best ball player in the team, and his experience could prove invaluable; Micky Higham offers such a threat from dummy half; and Gareth Hock gives them strength as the team's most physical player. Hock will have a big part to play now he has recovered from injury.

The players are back: now the job for Wigan is to start picking up points - and quickly.

PUT your shirt on Sale Sharks beating Leicester to win rugby union's Guinness Premiership play-off final this Saturday.

And don't be surprised to see more individual brilliance from former Wigan RL star Jason Robinson.

His try proved decisive in the semi-final victory over Wasps and I know for a fact that Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay would have him back at the JJB tomorrow to help bail the Warriors out.

Decision

Robinson is still the best outside back in English rugby: his decision to retire from the international scene has helped him and helped Sale.

Alan Shearer benefited when he called time on his England soccer career, and it's been the same with Jason.

He really could have a starring role this weekend and is as good as ever in my view.

Sale have a tough, uncompromising pack of forwards who will be up for the battle: the pack has to take charge, just as it does in rugby league, and I'm sure the Sharks' forwards will.

They've done very well, they have quality players and I wish them well. I'll be rooting for them and fully expect Jason Robinson to steal the show at Twickenham - and lift the cup!

THE Aussies could be the dark horses at the World Cup in Germany next month.

Even though we have been drawn in the same group as Brazil and Croatia, I firmly believe the Socceroos can reach the quarter-finals.

As a betting man, I would say that Brazil are the favourites to lift the trophy in Berlin on July 9, but watch out for Italy and Spain.

As for England, I feel they could struggle to reach the knock-out stages if Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney do not lead the attack.

Their midfield is possibly the best in the tournament but England need someone who can finish.

Without a deadly striker, they are like a rugby league team who have a good pack but lack half-backs to direct and create.

I hope England go well, but so much hinges on the fitness of their key players.

What do you think? Have your say.

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