Warrington vs Wigan: Steve Price welcomes start of Challenge Cup campaign

Steve Price feels his Warrington players will benefit from a change in focus

Warrington coach Steve Price believes the Coral Challenge Cup has arrived at a good time for his in-form Super League team.

The Wolves remain hot on the heels of table-topping neighbours St Helens after winning their last three matches but on Sunday take a break from the league when they play Wigan for a place in the last eight of the cup.

"I think it's come at a good time to be honest," Price said. "We're 14 games in now and we flip over to Challenge Cup mode so it's been refreshing.

"I've seen a bit of an upbeat atmosphere and attitude to the change this week, being cup week. We'll be ready for it."

Declan Patton scores for Warrington against Wigan in the Challenge Cup last year

The teams are meeting for the third successive year in the cup and Wigan will be out to atone for the embarrassment of their 23-0 drubbing by Warrington in last season's quarter-finals.

Price's men went on to reach Wembley, where they suffered a surprise 20-14 defeat by Catalans Dragons, and are determined to go one better in 2019.

"Everyone's goal is to get there again and win it but we're not thinking anything like that at the moment, it's just about this week," said Price.

"It's going to be another great challenge. We've been playing some really good football of late."

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Highlights of the Super League clash between Warrington Wolves and defending champions Wigan Warriors.

Price says he will disregard his side's 25-12 league win over Wigan at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in March and his opposite number Adrian Lam believes his side will be better prepared, having won their last three matches and conceding just one try in the last two.

"We went there with a completely different team when we played them last time," said Lam, who won the cup with Wigan as a player in 2002.

"Our defence has been outstanding over the last couple of weeks but this weekend will be the best test of that.

Adrian Lam acknowledges that his Wigan defence is set for a strong test

"We've got to match them with aggression, make sure that our attitude is correct and be prepared to play. They are a great side, they have been for a couple of years now."

Team news

Warrington 19-man squad: Sitaleki Akauola, Ryan Atkins, Blake Austin, Josh Charnley, Daryl Clark, Jason Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Matt Davis, Bryson Goodwin, Chris Hill, Jack Hughes, Toby King, Harvey Livett, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Declan Patton, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Lama Tasi.

Wigan 19-man squad: Joe Bullock, Joe Burgess, Tony Clubb, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Joe Greenwood, Chris Hankinson, Zak Hardaker, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Sean O'Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Jake Shorrocks, Morgan Smithies, Taulima Tautai, George Williams.