Warrington Wolves v Wigan Warriors match preview

This could prove to be a season-defining game for both clubs.

Due to their excellent Super League form, both of these sides are among the favourites to lift the famous old trophy at Wembley in August.

For one of these two teams, their dream of winning one of the three major pieces of silverware on offer in 2018 will die on Saturday afternoon.

For The Wire, there is also the tantalising prospect of revenge.

Not just for the Magic Weekend hammering dished out to them by Wigan two weeks ago, but for what happened at this stage of the Challenge Cup last year.

The Warriors did for them by just one point in a dramatic encounter. How Warrington would love to get their own back on Saturday.

Extremes of emotions at the final hooter of last year's quarter-final won by Wigan. Picture by Mike Boden

What they’ve said:

“We’ll take the positives out of the second half against Hull, but we fully understand that we need to bring our A game on Saturday against a quality team.

“I’m not too concerned about what they can do. It’s more about what we can control.

“There’s a lot of areas in which the players have been doing really well, but we need a complete, 80-minute performance this week.

“We’ll never get too far ahead of ourselves, but as a club we want to pride ourselves on being able to win big games.

“This weekend certainly falls into that category.”

Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach

Steve Price keeping a close eye on his team against Hull FC. Picture by Mike Boden

“We found out a few months ago how good Warrington are at home.

“At home they are very strong, and will be better than they were at Magic.

“We need to be better again and focus on our detail.”

Shaun Wane, Wigan Warriors head coach (speaking to Wigan Today)

Shaun Wane on his last visit to the Halliwell Jones Stadium, when his side were defeated 16-10 in Super League in February. Picture by Mike Boden

Numbers game:

It is 82 years since The Wire defeated Wigan at home in the Challenge Cup, and something they have not managed to do yet at their Halliwell Jones Stadium home. Home quarter finals in 2011 and 2017 both ended up as losses.

Ben Westwood, distraught at the end of the epic 2011 last-eight battle with Wigan. Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington team news:

The Wire are boosted by the returns of Mike Cooper and Sitaleki Akauola from injury and suspension respectively to bolster their front-row options.

Bryson Goodwin is also back in contention after being stood down for last week’s win over Hull FC to comply with concussion protocol.

Still on the sidelines are former Wigan front rower Dom Crosby (ankle), centre Toby King (hamstring), England back rower Ben Currie (knee) and winger Jack Johnson (broken leg).

Wolves 19: Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Kevin Brown, Mitch Brown, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Tom Lineham, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Ben Westwood.

Mike Cooper and Sitaleki Akauola were forced to sit out last week's home win against Hull FC. Picture by Mike Boden

Wigan team news:

Wigan have wheeled out the big guns once again as three key players return to the fold.

Sean O’Loughlin, Tommy Leuluai and Oliver Gildart all missed their shock defeat to Hull KR on Friday night, but are back in Shaun Wane’s squad.

Dan Sarginson (hamstring) and Joe Burgess (knee) remain sidelined.

Wigan 19-man squad: John Bateman, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Morgan Escaré, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarette, Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Powell, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, George Williams, Josh Woods.

Tommy Leuluai, right, influential for Wigan in the halves or at hooker. Picture by Mike Boden

One to watch:

Sam Tomkins

While he may no longer be the free-running dynamo that tempted New Zealand Warriors into parting with a world-record fee for his services, Tomkins has impressively re-invented himself.

He is Wigan’s organiser-in-chief, popping up in the halves as well as his regular position of full-back, and The Wire found this out to devastating effect recently.

Tomkins inspired Wigan’s 38-10 win over Steve Price’s men at Magic Weekend and with a deal to join Catalans Dragons already in place for next year, he appears determined to leave his hometown club on a high.

Sam Tomkins, on this occasion unable to prevent Stefan Ratchford getting over the line for a try that was eventually ruled out. Picture by Mike Boden

Match odds (via William Hill):

Warrington 6/5

Wigan 8/11

Essential info:

When: Saturday, June 2, 2018

Kick off: 2.30pm

Where: The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, Warrington WA2 7NE

Officials:

Referee: Robert Hicks

Touch judges: J Smith, R Thompson

Video referee: Phil Bentham

Robert Hicks, having a word with Wire pair Chris Hill and Kevin Brown during Warrington's last clash with Wigan in Newcastle. Picture by Mike Boden

Matchday ticket prices:

North Stand: £30.50 adults, £21 concessions and young adults (aged 16-23), £5 juniors, infants (aged 5 and under) free, £61 family ticket (2 adults, 2 juniors)

East Stand: £25 adults, £17 concessions and young adults, £5 juniors, infants free, £50 family ticket

South Stand: £21 adults, £15 concessions and young adults, £5 juniors, infants free

West Stand (visiting supporters): £21 adults, £15 concessions and young adults, £15 juniors, infants free

How can I follow the game?

The Warrington Guardian will, as always, be providing extensive coverage of Saturday’s game.

‘Matchday Live’ will be with you all afternoon up to the final hooter and beyond. Sports editor Mike Parsons will be in position at The Halliwell Jones Stadium to bring you all the build-up, match action as it happens and post-match reaction.

After the final hooter, we will bring you all the reaction from the Wolves camp, plus a photo gallery and the chance to choose your man of the match in our poll.

You will be able to join in the discussion with us before, during and after the game via our social media channels, ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ on Facebook and @WG_Sport on Twitter.

The match is being shown on BBC 1.