Warrington Wolves v Toronto Wolfpack match preview

To see the strange sensation of The Wire playing an away match at home!

Toronto were drawn as the home side when they were pitted against The Wire in the sixth round draw, but competition rules state the tie must be played at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Wherever the game is being played, though, Wolves will go into it feeling invincible.

Nine wins in a row has the squad cock-a-hoop and seemingly well capable of challenging for trophies at the business end of the season.

This game can be seen as the biggest and most slippery of banana skins, so can The Wire avoid it and continue marching down the road to Wembley?

Last week's win at Leeds made it nine in a row for The Wire. Can they make it 10 today? Picture by Mike Boden

What they’ve said:

“It’s a team we’ve never played before, so it’s something new.

“It will be a tough test for us as they are flying in the Championship.

“They have some very good players in their side and we have to be at our best for. We certainly won’t be taking them lightly.

Jack Hughes, Warrington Wolves second rower

“It’s going to be a tough game. It’s probably the biggest game in our short existence.

“They’re on a nine-game win streak and we’re on 10 so we’re both playing into a bit of form.

“I know all our boys are ready and we’re looking forward to it.”

Ashton Sims, Toronto Wolfpack prop

Numbers game:

Should he repeat his feat from the last round and score four tries today, Josh Charnley will hit 200 career touchdowns.

With 10 already in a Wire shirt, Charnley previously scored 164 for Wigan, five each for Hull KR and Blackpool, 10 for England and two for England Knights.

Josh Charnley will hit another milestone if he has the same amount of success as he did in the last round against Bradford. Picture by Mike Boden

Warrington team news:

Wire head coach Steve Price has named an unchanged squad for today’s game.

Bryson Goodwin was a doubt after coming off with a head injury during last Friday’s 33-22 over Leeds Rhinos, but he has been cleared to play.

Dom Crosby (ankle) and Toby King (hamstring) are still missing.

Squad: 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, Dec Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Tyrone Roberts, Ben Westwood.

Bryson Goodwin has been cleared to play after his head injury. Picture by Mike Boden

Toronto team news:

Ashton Sims missed last week’s win over Swinton Lions in their first home game of the season, but looks set to return today.

Another former Wire player is included in their squad in the shape of Gareth O'Brien, but Matty Russell misses out on the chance to make his debut against the side he left to join Toronto two weeks ago.

Matty Russell will not be making his Toronto debut against his former club. Picture by Mike Boden

One to watch:

Gareth O’Brien

There are plenty of Wire fans still questioning the club’s decision to let O’Brien leave for Salford ahead of the 2016 campaign.

Last year especially, when O’Brien was helping Salford to the top eight and a Challenge Cup semi-final and The Wire were struggling, those calls grew louder.

If the Wolfpack are going to hurt Warrington today, it is most likely the Wire academy graduate will be at the forefront of it from full-back.

Gareth O'Brien joined Toronto from Salford just after the season started. Picture by Mike Boden

Match odds (via Ladbrokes):

Warrington 1/8

Toronto 11/2

Essential info:

When: Sunday, May 13, 2018

Kick off: 3.30pm

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

Officials:

Referee: Ben Thaler

Touch judges: S Mikalauskas, L Moore

Video referee: James Child

Ben Thaler will take charge of today's game. Picture by Mike Boden

Matchday ticket prices:

North Stand: £20 adults, £15 concessions (aged 65+) and young adults (aged 17-21), £5 juniors (aged 5-16), infants (aged 5 and under) free, £40 family ticket (2 adults and 2 juniors).

East Stand: £20 adults, £15 concessions and young adults, £5 juniors, infants free, £40 family ticket.

South Stand: £17 adults, £12 concessions and young adults, £5 juniors, infants free.

Entertainment:

Aside from the main game, there will be two other matches for fans to enjoy at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

The club's physical disability rugby league (PDRL) team will be in action against their counterparts from Wakefield Trinity in the curtain-raiser, which kicks off at 1.45pm.

Assistant coach Lee Briers will play the first half as one of two able-bodied players allowed in the side, with Jerome Guisset taking over for the second half and Shaun Briscoe also playing.

Australian comedian and The Last Leg host Adam Hills will once again turn out for The Wire side.

At half-time, the world's first ever learning disability rugby league (LDRL) match will take place, also between Wolves and Wakefield.

Lee Briers will pull on the primrose and blue jersey one last time today. Picture by Mike Boden

How can I follow the game?

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

‘Matchday Live’ will be up and running at around 1.30pm. Sports reporter Matt Turner 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.

Check out our ‘Warrington Wolves – Warrington Guardian’ Facebook page for Matt’s pre-match thoughts via Facebook Live and his ‘On The Hooter’ live match summary immediately after 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.

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.