Challenge Cup Preview: Warrington v Salford

Lee Briers returns to the Warrington squad for Sunday’s visit of Salford in the Challenge Cup.

Briers hasn’t played for the Wolves since the 17-17 draw with Wigan in February, but did turn out for Championship side Swinton on dual-registration last Thursday.

The holders have already beaten the Reds in Super League this season, winning 46-6.

Both sides racked up heavy wins in the fourth round, with Warrington beating Keighley 74-4 and Salford beating Gloucestershire All Golds 82-6.

The clubs have faced each other 10 times in the cup, dating back to 1913 when Warrington won 7-4 in a quarter-final match.

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

Salford 19-man squad: Broughton, Gibson, Gleeson, Foran, Ashurst, Dixon, Wild, Godwin, Mauro, James, Neal, Fages, Sneyd, McGoldrick, Griffin, Walne, Emmitt, Gaskell, Nero.

Prediction: Warrington are the cup kings of recent years, and they’ll be wanting to add another triumph to their list – home win.

Stats:

Sunday’s game is the first ever Challenge Cup meeting between the sides at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Previous Challenge Cup meetings:

2000 (Quarter Final) Salford 20 Warrington 22
1997 (Quarter Final) Warrington 10 Salford 29
1971 (Round 2) Salford 20 Warrington 9
1969 (Semi-Final) Salford 15 Warrington 8 (at Central Park, Wigan)
1965 (Round 2) Warrington 16 Salford 2
1951 (Quarter Final) Salford 4 Warrington 8
1937 (Round 1) Salford 4 Warrington 10
1936 (Semi-Final) Salford 2 Warrington 7 (at Central Park, Wigan)
1915 (Round 2) Warrington 2 Salford 11
1913 (Quarter Final) Salford 4 Warrington 7

2013 meeting:

Salford 4 Warrington 46 (SLR7, 15/3/13)