I would have put Thewlis in that category, until he made that interception at Catalans a couple of weeks ago, and Tom Johnstone chased him down in a way that made it look as though Josh was a Fiat Panda going up against a Ferrari! Maybe unfair to look at one incident, though - there have been plenty of other times when Josh has looked pretty speedy.

my 4 grandkids to cheer on Wakey as well

Handley, I think off the mark Dufty is rapid but not sure about length of the field. Length of the field I think Ashton beats Dufty.

I think that the forwards will dictate who wins on Saturday.

Unable to make it and it hurts. But I'm sneakily putting in the overtime at work this week so that when it gets to saturday I can leave early to make it home for the build up and have still met my contract! I'm not as confident as I was in 2019 - Wigan are the business and know how to get the job done when it counts. I just hope the sheer determination of players like Crowther and Nicholson will be enough to see us home.

The first Wire Wembley final in my lifetime that I’ll be watching from home, so mixed emotions here. Fingers crossed the lads can bring it home.
Good to see us back at a final, hopefully the first of many over the next few years.

Not heading down to Wembley this year, a weekend away with the OH, was booked in advance.. She’s from Standish as well, her lad plays for the Wigan LDRL team. So am sure we’ll be finding a pub and the battle lines will be set.

Kendall announced as referee for the final. That's the first bit of bad news for this Saturday. Can see him allowing lots of lying on.

I was surprised at that too. Maybe he was carrying a knock as he was closed down quickly.

What is your 17 likely to be?
cheers

Dufty
Thewlis
King
Tai
Ashton
Williams
Drinkwater
Vaughan
Walker
Harrison
Fitzgibbon
Nicholson
Currie

Wood/Bullock
Musgrove
Crowther
Powell

I think Wood is injured.
So as above minus Wood.

18th man Ratchford.

If Wood is fit I would play him. He was playing well vs Wigan and I think this could be his breakthrough season.

Agreed. Wood might be relatively short in stature for a prop, but he has the kind of strength that might cause Steve Price to use inappropriate terminology.

I must say Wood didn't look good when he came off & obviously wasn't fit when he went back on. Why spoil any winning prospects we might have by playing an injured player ?

The final is going to kick off at 3.07, as a tribute to Rob Burrow. A nice touch, that.

Fans will still be asked to stand up and clap after seven minutes of the game.

I think we have a great chance. Wigan are a great team it pains to say but we look up for it. I’ve more confidence in this team than the 2019 winners team.

Hoping for a great day and no finger nails. Up the wire.

Sorry if this has already been posted but do we have any idea how many tickets have been sold so far, i really hate to see loads of empty seats for the CCF, especially when on the BBC? Its good that Wigan and Wire will take large numbers...

I think our side today is better than this.

Warrington Wolves: Ratchford; Lineham, Goodwin, King, Charnley; Currie, Patton; Hill, D Clark, Cooper, Murdoch-Masila, Hughes, J Clark.

Interchanges: Akauola, Philbin, Davis, Mamo.


The 2019 side had lost 5 league games on the bounce before the final. Somehow Warrington sides seem to be able to raise it for the final.

...except against Catalans or Hull!

True.

I meant in the past the players have seemed more motivated for a CC game than, let's say, a home playoff game ...

To be fair, I think we were the better team v Hull FC and that last grasp tackle...fine margins.

However, against Catalans we were shocking, really disappointing. No excuses, we shouldn't have been surprised how they were going to start as we were cheering them on v Saints in the double header semi only for them to do the same to us.

Gutted not to be able to get to the game as I'm off to Bangor on Dee racing (watching not riding) with Auntie grrr!!!

It'll be like that episode of Whatever happened to the Likely Lads when the Bob and Terry were trying to avoid the England v Bulgaria football score, as our coach has a few Salford fans on it so I'll know before I get to my Sony C5 whether it's worth watching

Or if Gidley hadn't missed that sitter goal kick at the start of the 2nd half...