Challenge Cup Semi-final preview: Castleford Tigers vs Warrington Wolves

It’s the Challenge Cup semi-final, at the Leigh Sports Village. Tigers against Wolves, McShane against Clark, Trueman against Widdop, Powell against Price. Plenty of things to be anticipated.

In the second of two cup semi-finals hosted at the Leigh Sports Village, Castleford play Warrington with a place in the Challenge Cup final up for grabs.

It’s been even between the two sides in 2021 so far. In the first game of the season, Castleford defeated the Wolves, 21-12, however in round seven, it was the Warrington side who got one over on the team from West Yorkshire, 38-14.

Cas haven’t been in the best form of late, not winning in four games. However, Warrington are in form having won their last two in terrific style, beating Salford 18-62 and Saturday’s opponents Castleford.

In the cup though, form goes out the window and with seven key first-team players returning for Daryl Powell’s side, Wire will have their work cut out if they are to make their fourth final in six years.

There are plenty of key figures in this game who could be the determining factor for either of the two sides. From the Yorkshire side of the field, you have players such as Paul McShane, Jake Trueman, Niall Evalds and Danny Richardson. For the Wolves, there is an abundance. Gareth Widdop, Blake Austin, Stefan Ratchford, Toby King and Josh Charnley.

Two of those, in particular, Trueman and Widdop the two dictators and talisman in the sides. A lot has been made of Widdop this season for Warrington, whether he will be the Gareth Widdop they signed from the NRL or will he have another disappointing season for the Wolves.

Then, you have Trueman, an absolutely fantastic young talent who is undoubtedly the biggest part of Castleford’s team. With Tigers head coach, Powell on his way to Warrington in 2022, Trueman following him is a question yet to be answered.

It will be a very close game, not high scoring. A cup semi-final that will have everything you want and two teams who when on their game are two of the toughest to beat in Super League.

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