Challenge Cup Preview: Warrington v Huddersfield (Sun)

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Warrington

Only centre Ryan Atkins misses out for Warrington because of the ankle injury he suffered against Leeds, and he is replaced by Rhys Williams.

Recent times have seen the Wolves lift three Challenge Cup trophies in four years and each year Warrington have played Huddersfield on the way: 2009 final, 2010 fifth round and 2012 semi-final.

Wolves’ head coach Tony Smith had this to say on his former club: “Huddersfield are a dangerous team. They have performed well in Super League this year and they are experiencing their most consistent season so far and they’ll certainly be a team that we need to concentrate for the full 80 minutes against.

“They’ve got some facets of their game that they are very good at and we need to make sure we handle that as best we can and hopefully try to exploit some areas that aren’t their strength.”

Huddersfield

Huddersfield welcome back Welsh prop Craig Kopczak from an arm injury.

Half-back Luke Robinson is also available for selection after being knocked unconscious during the Giants’ victory at Hull last weekend.

Huddersfield are one point and one place ahead of Warrington in Super League, although the Wire have won both league meetings in 2013.

Warrington 19-man squad: Bridge, Briers, Carvell, Cooper, Currie, Grix, Higham, Hill, Hodgson, McCarthy, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Morley, Ratchford, C. Riley, Waterhouse, Westwood, Williams, Wood.

Huddersfield 19-man squad: Grix, George, Cudjoe, Wardle, McGillvary, Brough, Robinson, Crabtree, Lunt, Kopczak, Ferres, Faiumu, Lawrence, Patrick, Ta’ai, Murphy, Cording, Ferguson, Mullally.

Stats:

Warrington have won their last eight Challenge Cup games against Huddersfield, having not lost in the competition against Sunday’s opposition since going down 21-17 in the 1933 Final at Wembley.

Last meeting:

Huddersfield 12-34 Warrington (Super League Round 14, 05/05/13)

Prediction:

This should be the contest of the weekend. Huddersfield are due a win in this fixture and the Wolves may be slightly more focused on Super League. Away win.

Challenge Cup Huddersfield Giants