Warrington Wolves winger Matty Russell says he wishes his good friend Josh Charnley "good luck but not too much" ahead of his rugby league swansong

Russell and Charnley, who is leaving Wigan after Saturday’s Grand Final to join rugby union side Sale Sharks, are likely to be in direct opposition on the wing at Old Trafford.

Charnley is one of many good friends Russell has in the Warriors camp and he admits lining up against them at the Theatre of Dreams will be strange.

“It’s a bit strange for me, it certainly will be seeing lads that I’ve grown up playing with in the academy on the opposite side of the pitch to me at Old Trafford.

“I’m looking forward to it, this derby is always special and what better place to play it in.

“I know all of them apart from a couple of the Aussie guys. I’m close with them all and we have a bit of banter now and again about games.

“I’ve not spoken to them this week. I think I’ll keep it low key until after the game then we can have a few digs at each other!

“Charners is going really well this year and is proving how good he is. I’m looking forward to going up against him on Saturday, I’m sure it will be a good battle between us.

“He’ll be doing his best to go out on a high. He’s done a good stint in rugby league. I wish him luck but not too much!”

Russell believes Charnley, who scored twice in Wigan’s victory at The Halliwell Jones Stadium last month, will be a big loss to the 13-man code.

He rates him as one of the best wingers in the world and the Scotland international says he is happy on the flanks himself having also appeared successfully at full-back this year.

“He’s been one of the best wingers over the last five years or so. He’s a massive loss to rugby league. I think he’ll do a good job in union and he’ll be knocking on the door for representative honours for sure,” he said.

“I’ve enjoyed being on the wing. Tony mentioned at the start of the year that I’d be playing wing or full-back and I’m happy doing either.

“It’s differing roles but I’ve enjoyed getting used to both, I’m still learning and when I’m doing that, I’m happy.”

“We probably needed something like what happened last time we played them. We needed to learn from our mistakes and to take chances when they come.

“We were 14 points in front and they had 12 men but we couldn’t grind it out.

“It was a lesson we needed to learn but I think we showed in the games against Hull and St Helens that we can do that.”