Why should I watch?

Tonight has thrown up an interesting conundrum for The Wire and head coach Steve Price.

In an ideal world, he would surely have preferred to wrap his stars up in cotton wool in order to have them in peak physical condition for the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in just eight days’ time.

However, a trip to one of their top-four rivals – a side who are level on points with Wolves in the table – has denied him that opportunity.

St Helens are still near guaranteed the League Leaders’ Shield despite a recent stumble, but a win tonight would give either side a two-point cushion over the other and put them in the box seat to challenge Wigan for second spot when the Super 8s resume.

Wolves and their fans would love for it to be them in that position at 10pm tomorrow so they can roll into Wembley full of confidence.

Joe Philbin 

The Wire will be aiming to avenge a 34-30 defeat the last time they faced Castleford on June 6. Picture by Mike Boden

What they’ve said:

“We can’t control what’s happening above us, but what we can control is our own performances.

“We’ve been quite strong in the past few weeks and we’ve been ruthless in a few areas.

“If we do those little things right, everything else will carry on.”

Steve Price, Warrington Wolves head coach

 

“Warrington are in a pretty good run of form, obviously they’re in the Challenge Cup Final and they’ve got minimal injuries.

“We managed to beat them a few weeks ago with quite a few missing but we know that we’re going to have to play well.

“They’re going to be wanting to put in a really good performance before they go to Wembley and we’re going to have to make sure we play over the top of them.”

Daryl Powell, Castleford Tigers head coach

 

Numbers game:

Tom Lineham needs one more try to take him to 20 in all competitions for the 2018 season.

The former Hull winger is in good form having crossed five times in his past two games.

 

Tom Lineham's next try will be his 20th of 2018. Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington team news:

Steve Price has once again shuffled his pack, with Stefan Ratchford, Mike Cooper and Ben Murdoch-Masila coming back into the 19-man squad.

Harvey Livett is out with a knee injury, while Josh Charnley and Ben Westwood have been rested.

Squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Kevin Brown, Mitch Brown, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, George King, Toby King, Tom Lineham, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Dec Patton, Joe Philbin, Ben Pomeroy, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Morgan Smith, Bodene Thompson.

 

Josh Charnley is rested for tonight's trip to Castleford. Picture by Mike Boden

Castleford team news:

Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e has failed the recover from the knee injury that kept him out of the Tigers’ defeat to Wigan last time out, while Adam Milner and Jesse Sene-Lefao are also out injured.

Daryl Powell brings in Grant Millington, Calum Turner and Peter Mata’utia in their place.

Squad: James Clare, Mitch Clark, Greg Eden, Jamie Ellis, Kieran Gill, Oliver Holmes, Will Maher, Nathan Massey, Peter Mata’utia, Mike McMeeken, Paul McShane, Grant Millington, Junior Moors, Michael Shenton, Jake Trueman, Calum Turner, Joe Wardle, Liam Watts, Jake Webster.

One to watch:

Jake Trueman

Having spent a large chunk of 2018 at full-back, the youngster is now thriving in his more familiar half-back role.

With reigning Man of Steel Luke Gale missing through long-term injury, Trueman has seized his chance to impress.

Four tries and four assists in July confirm him as a man in form and someone The Wire will have to keep a close eye on.

Match odds (via Betfred):

Castleford 4/9

Warrington 9/5

Draw 25/1

Essential info:

When: Friday, August 17, 2018

Kick off: 7.45pm

Where: The Mend-A-Hose Jungle, Wheldon Rd, Castleford WF10 2SD

 

The Mend-A-Hose Jungle will hopefully be drier tonight than it was on Easter Monday when The Wire last visited

Match officials:

Referee: Gareth Hewer

Touch judges: D Bowmer, J Smith

Video referee: Ben Thaler

Matchday ticket prices:

Railway End away terrace: £22 adults, £14 concessions (aged 60 and over), students (full-time education only) and juniors (aged 16 and under)

How can I follow the game?

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

‘Matchday Live’ will be with you all evening up to the final hooter and beyond. Sports reporter Matt Turner will be at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle to bring you all the build-up, match action as it happens and post-match reaction.

Keep an eye on our ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ Facebook page for Matt’s live match preview and ‘On The Hooter’ summary right on full time.

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.