“WE’RE going to have to be good – there’s no doubt about that.”

A statement of the obvious for some, but at the very least an acknowledgement from Sam Burgess about the task facing his Warrington Wolves side on Sunday.

Their Challenge Cup hopes face the ultimate test of a trip to neighbours St Helens, who have won the past seven meetings between the sides, without some of their big guns.

Paul Vaughan is suspended, Zane Musgrove is injured while Ben Currie, who has been a revelation at loose forward, is struggling with a pectoral injury but may still play through the pain barrier.

They overcame such adversity against Leeds Rhinos last week, belying the absence of key pack members to run out convincing 34-8 winners, but this will be a big step-up.

“For us, it’s just understanding that our performance at Leeds means nothing this week,” Burgess said.

“I don’t think Saints are going to be too worried about it – they’ll be focused on themselves just like we are.

“We’re attacking the week as we usually would and whoever we’ve got in the squad, we’re looking forward to a great contest on Sunday afternoon.

“They’re a great team and they’ve had a lot of success over the past few years. Even going back to when I was playing, they were always a great side.

“Wello (Saints head coach Paul Wellens) is obviously young in his career like I am but he seems to have got them playing a good style of rugby.

“They’re a good team and are pretty physical. We can do all the prep in the world but you’ve got to go and stop them.

“We’ve got our systems and process which has been doing okay for us, which we’ll stick to.

“My job is to help us win and that doesn’t really change, regardless of whether it’s a league or cup game.”

It will be Burgess first ‘derby’ game since taking the reins at The Halliwell Jones Stadium and he is acutely aware of what matches against the likes of Saints mean to the club’s supporters.

He insists he will encourage the players to “tap into” the emotional side of the contest – but only at the right time.

“The emotional side of it for me is balanced as it’s all about performance,” he said.

“There’s no doubt there will be moments where we mention the fans’ feeling about this game and we tap into it, but we don’t play until Sunday.

“We have to be really careful with our energy and how we use it, so we’ll wait for the right time.

“We’ve got great fans and I love the fans that travel. They were great over in Leeds last week and I think the players really do feed off it.

“It would be great to see a big crowd in – it’s going to be a great atmosphere and hopefully that brings on a great performance.”