In Pictures: A tale of two codes

Australia(***)s St George Illawarra Dragons will face England(***)s Wigan Warriors in the World Club Challenge on Sunday for Rugby League bragging rights between the hemispheres [GALLO/GETTY]

Wigan took their place in the annual showdown between the champions of Europe(***)s Super League and Australasia(***)s National Rugby League when they won their first domestic title in 12 years last October [GALLO/GETTY]

The Cherry-and-Whites won their last World Club Challenge during their heyday in 1994, when they boasted players such as Martin (***)Chariots(***) Offiah. Victory at the DW Stadium on Sunday would make them the only team to claim the intercontinental trophy four times [GALLO/GETTY]

Ben Creagh celebrates as the Dragons win their first NRL title against the Sydney Roosters in October, but on Sunday they will be without record-breaking coach Wayne Bennett, who has flown back to Australia to be with his (***)gravely ill(***) mother-in-law [GALLO/GETTY]

Former Wigan RL player Chris Ashton will be looking to continue his try-scoring exploits in Union when England take on France in the Six Nations on Saturday [GALLO/GETTY]

Forward Sebastien (***)Caveman(***) Chabal will stand in the way as defending champions France aim to stop England on the path to their first Six Nations crown since 2003 [GALLO/GETTY]

Wales travel to Italy looking for a second consecutive win to keep their chances alive - although a Grand Slam is out of the question for Warren Gatland(***)s men after they lost to England in their opening match [GALLO/GETTY]

Scotland(***)s Euan Murray celebrated victory in Ireland last year, but is out of the side that hosts the Irish at Murrayfield because he refuses to play on Sundays due to his Christian beliefs [GALLO/GETTY]

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton has been in good form for the national team but finds himself ousted from the side by the return of veteran number 10 Ronan O(***)Gara [GALLO/GETTY]