Marquee signing Ben Barba has scored a try on his eagerly-awaited Super League debut but finished on the losing side as Wigan bounced back in style from their Challenge Cup final loss to secure a 26-16 victory.

The Warriors never looked back after centre Oliver Gildart grabbed two tries in the first five minutes, although Barba’s 22nd minute try gave St Helens hope.

Second half tries from former Newcastle prop Zeb Taia and Tommy Makinson added a touch of respectability to the score.

Wigan captain Sean O’Loughlin produced an immense performance to keep alive his side’s bid to retain their league title a week on from their Challenge Cup final defeat by Hull.

They are now just two points behind third-placed Hull, their next opponents at the KC Stadium next Friday, while St Helens drop to sixth with their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.

In Friday’s other results, Wakefield defeated Salford 43-18 and Castleford snuck past Huddersfield 24-16.