THE fairytale nature of the Challenge Cup is what makes it so special for Warrington Wolves boss Tony Smith.

Wolves have won the competition on three occasions under Smith’s guidance, but the romance is not lost on the head of coaching and rugby.

“It’s special to everybody that’s been involved the cup, the romance of it,” he said.

“You perform well and you go through, you don’t perform so well and you’re kicked out. That’s pressure, that’s what the cup brings.

“You have some fairytale results throughout that knockout phase, teams who were underrated by other people come up with wins and knock out the top dogs – that’s the beauty of the cup.”