Westwood buzzing for Leeds battle

Warrington forward Ben Westwood is looking forward to tangling with Leeds in the Challenge Cup semi-final this week.

The Wolves tangle with the Rhinos at Langtree Park this Saturday, and Westwood is expecting a tough test from Brian McDermott’s men.

“It’s a really exciting week, and a nervous week, I suppose, for players and probably everybody in the town,” he said.

“It’s a real buzz with people coming up to you in the street and giving you good luck wishes.

“We all look forward to these kinds of games as rugby league players. We’ve been fortunate over the last few years to play in some really big games.

“We’ve got some experience in our team, some older heads who’ve been in this situation, and we look forward to a good tough game.

“Hopefully we’ll do a good job and come out winners.”

Westwood is well aware of the threat posed by many of the Rhinos’ star names.

“Leeds have got some dangerous players,” he said.

“Rob Burrow has always been a threat all his life. But he’s been really good for them since he’s come back from his injury.

“They’ve got Kevin Sinfield who’s coming back from his first ever ban, so he’ll be looking to repay his mates for being missing.

“Jamie Peacock‘s played in numerous finals and semi-finals. He’ll bring all his experience for the young guys there.

“So they’ve got players who can be dangerous and hurt you, but so have we. We’ll be looking to do a pretty good job on them, and hopefully it’ll be good enough.”

Leeds were beaten last week by already relegated Bradford Bulls. Westwood knows that form goes out the window when it comes to cup clashes.

“I’m not reading anything into the Bradford game, I know they had a few players missing, and rested a few,” he said.

“Form goes out the window when it comes to the big games. Anyone can win in these.

“It’s just down to whoever performs well on the day.

“Both teams will want to perform well, and it’s a question of who comes out on top.”