AT the start of 2018, it was clear Warrington Wolves lacked something.

For all their tough grind through the middle, they were crying out for some pace on the edges. A genuine speed king with a lethal eye for finishing.

On March 19, that all changed.

When The Wire tempted Josh Charnley back from rugby union, it seemed as if the missing piece in the jigsaw had been found.

They were bringing in a man who was proven in this country’s biggest games. A certified top-level performer of genuine star quality.

In my opinion at least, Charnley’s arrival was the turning point for Wolves. This was the moment they went from being a team that could threaten to one that could genuinely challenge.

From the moment he came into the team, it looked as if Warrington went up a gear.

While Tom Lineham was entrenched on the left wing, the opening for Charnley came on the other side.

Now, they had proven operators on both wings and you can see the difference it makes to the team.

They have been more expansive in their play, knowing chances would not be bombed if they shifted the ball out to the edges.

Charnley’s record of 22 tries in just 20 appearances speaks for itself, but that is not the full story.

It is often said a winger is only as good as the centre inside him. Since arriving at Warrington, Charnley has played outside both Toby King and Ryan Atkins.

Both – in particular the latter – have had accusations of not providing quality ball at the right time to their wingmen thrown at them in the past.

However, both have formed excellent partnerships with the former Wigan man at different stages in the season.

In King’s case, he is enjoying the best try-scoring campaign of his career and has earned himself a new contract in the process. He more than most has benefitted from the arrival of Charnley.

Get the ball to Charnley and he will score. His record shows you that.

It is not only because of his immense speed, either. His try against Wigan at the DW Stadium in July – when he managed to get the ball down despite the presence of three defenders – demonstrated his brutish strength.

The fact he was rested for last week’s Super 8s game against Castleford shows how valuable he is to Steve Price’s operation.

He went with a strong squad with not many of his players wrapped in cotton wool, but Charnley was one of them.

Now, he has the chance to show his quality in the wide-open spaces of Wembley Stadium. A place which suits the speedsters of rugby league down to the ground.

He does have history at the national stadium, too. On his first appearance there, he scored for Wigan as they lifted the Challenge Cup in 2011.

However, it was a bittersweet experience as he ended up breaking a bone in his hand.

In 2013, he was back and produced a stunning recovery run to chase down Hull FC full-back Jamie Shaul and prevent a certain try to help Wigan lift the cup again.

He is a proven winner, so can he get The Wire over the line?