GEORGE IS HOT STUFF Sam also sizzles for Wigan
GEORGE WILLIAMS and Sam Tomkins warmed Wigan up for Wembley with a blistering display.
The two England stars were simply too hot to handle for a Salford side whose season is crashing down around their ears.
In this mood, next Saturday’s Challenge Cup final opponents Hull need to start worrying.
Stand-off Williams devastated the Red Devils with his kicking game and range of passing.
Full back Tomkins is starting to show the short of form that could get him the England shirt ahead of Zak Hardaker. The two of them controlled the entire game and completely snuffed the life out of their opponents.
Salford have now lost seven games on the trot and have dropped below Wigan into seventh in the Super 8s.
Their hopes of making the semifinals look shot, but Wigan could gatecrash the top four if they carry on like this. Their immediate aim is Wembley, though, and knocking off holders Hull – and they will hope Williams can also reproduce this display.
His grubber kick set up skipper Sean O’Loughlin for the first try and his short pass put over Liam Farrell.
He then came up with a brilliant long pass to send Joe Burgess racing in for his second try.
And just to complete the individual super show, Williams darted over for his own touchdown in the second half.
Tomkins was just as dazzling and one teasing run, followed by a deft kick, almost produced a try for Liam Marshall.
Another kick was finished off better by Sam Powell as Salford flapped again disastrously in defence.
They weren’t the only Warriors showing class, though, and Oliver Gildart’s offload for Burgess’s first try was top drawer.
Frank-Paul Nuuausala went over, with Williams adding his fifth goal for a 38-0 lead.
Salford avoided their second whitewash in five games when Niall Evalds did well to catch a high kick for a 68th minute try.
But Wigan simply turned the screw again with Liam Marshall rounding off the thrashing with Wigan’s eighth try. BY JULIE STOTT