STEVE Price says Warrington Wolves need to be ruthless when they face Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The Wire will reach their fifth Challenge Cup Final in 10 years if they beat the Rhinos in the second game of a double header at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Price has seen his side beat Bradford Bulls, Toronto Wolfpack and Wigan Warriors to set up Sunday’s clash – with the 23-0 quarter-final win over the latter arguably their finest display of 2018 to date.

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The Wolves head coach says it will take a similar level of performance – perhaps a greater one – to reach Wembley Stadium once again.

“One thing I do know is that the guys are excited to be back in Challenge Cup mode again,” he told the Guardian.

“They have worked extremely hard to put themselves in this position.

“We haven’t had a complete performance to date. We’re working towards it.

“We’ve been really good in patches, but we haven’t had that ruthless attitude in offence and defence for the full 80 minutes.

“We know we’re going to have to be really good on Sunday against a desperate football team. They have a lot of experienced players in their team.

“It’s completely different to a normal game with it being a semi-final.

“All I’m focused on is the playing group having a really strong attitude and being really ruthless.

“If they do that, I’ll be a happy man.”

With no new injuries in the squad, The Wire are expected to name the same side that lost 14-12 to fellow Challenge Cup semi-finalists St Helens last Thursday.

Despite being beaten by Danny Richardson’s 80th-minute penalty, Price says the players are in “a really good head space.”

“All the boys have come through in really good shape. We’ve got no injury concerns at the moment,” he said.

“It was a tough hit-out against Saints but it was the perfect template for Sunday’s game.

“We got the boys moving again on Sunday. We had Monday and Tuesday off but the boys have been back in and hard at it.

“They are in a really good head space. They look fresh, which is important for this time of year.”

Wolves will start as heavy favourites to overcome an out-of-form Leeds side with newly-appointed rugby director Kevin Sinfield and ex-Wire coach Jimmy Lowes at the helm.

A poor run of one win from 11 games saw them finish Super League’s regular rounds inside the bottom four, but Price says they are preparing for the Rhinos to be at their best on Sunday.

He also called upon the Warrington fan base – expected to be over 7,000 strong at the home of Bolton Wanderers FC – to be the 18th man for his side.

“They have a lot of players who have played on the big stage,” he said.

“They understand what it takes, as do we.

“We’re starting to understand how to grind, but we’re going to have to grind for the full 80 on Sunday.

“There is a lot of individual brilliance in their team, so we need to combat that.

“I’ve been speaking to Karl (Fitzpatrick, Wire chief executive) and he’s been reminding me that we’ve sold the highest amount of tickets for any of the teams.

“That’s fantastic from our supporters. As a club we’re very appreciative of it.

“They are passionate and loud and they love their footy. I know it drives the players.”