THOUSANDS of Warrington Wolves fans will be making their way the short distance to Widnes tomorrow for what now must be regarded as the most important game of the season – the semi-final of the Rugby League Challenge Cup semi-final against Catalans Dragons.
They will vastly out-number supporters of the French side at the “neutral” Stobart Stadium.
But it will what happens on the pitch that matters most – and the result of the game is certainly not the foregone conclusion it might have seemed when the draw was first announced.
Catalans edge out Wolves 29-28 when they met in France last month and since then Wolves have suffered their apparently inevitable defeat by St Helens. Catalans have their strongest team of the season so far available and Wolves do not. Simon Grix, Chris Bridge and Mickey Higham are all missing from their full-strength squad.
The game has been given extra spice by reported comments by Catalans’ David Ferriol that Warrington skipper Adrian Morley is no longer the “hard man” he once was. But both players have played down any suggestion of a feud.
From the Super League table, one might think Wolves firm favourites to win. But Catalans suffered from injury problems early in the competition and now have their key men back. Their victory over Wolves – even if by just one point – has given them a lift.
Likely line up for the two sides is:
Warrington Wolves: Mathers; Hicks, King, Atkins, Riley; Briers, Myler; Morley (capt), Monaghan, Carvell, L Anderson, Westwood, Harrison. Interchange: Clarke, Wood, Solomona, V Anderson.
Catalans Dragons: Greenshields; Bell, Walker, Sa, Pelo; Bosc (capt), Sherwin; Guisset, McGuire, Ferriol, Elima, Carlaw, Johnson. Interchange (from): Casty, Fakir, Bentley, Raguin, Mounis, Gossard.
THOUSANDS of Warrington Wolves fans will be making their way the short
distance to Widnes tomorrow for what now must be regarded as the most
important game of the season – the semi-final of the Rugby League
Challenge Cup semi-final against Catalans Dragons.
Wolves – no foregone conclusion
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
