WIGAN'S impact on rugby union in the last week has been explosive. The rugby league champions demolished all-comers - including three of England's top four clubs - to run away with the Middlesex Sevens on Saturday.

It was meant to be a symbol of the new relationship between the codes but it showed rugby union loyalists that the most skilful players in England are in the north. It was an eye-opener - even for Sevens rugby.

Harlequins, Leicester and Wasps, in the final, vanished in a torrent of tries, Wigam scoring 25 to add to the 16 they hammered in against Bath in the full RL game in midweek.