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Wolves looking to stop Rovers' dream
HULL KINGSTON ROVERS coach Justin Morgan is expecting another closely-fought duel with Warrington when the two sides meet in today's Challenge Cup quarter-final.
Only eight points separated the teams when they met at Murrayfield earlier this month with Rovers gaining the two points.
And Morgan, who took Toulouse to a shock semi-final appearance four years ago, is anticipating another tight affair.
"We've taken some decent form with us over the last month or so and they're finding some really good form," he said.
"They're a star-studded team and they've settled down under Tony Smith. It all points to a great game."
Warrington have the chance to put the record straight for their embarrassing 2006 Challenge Cup exit when they slumped to a shock 40-36 defeat at the hands of a then part-time Rovers side at Craven Park.
Simon Grix, one of five survivors from that defeat, admits they under-estimated their National League opponents.
"Looking back now, we didn't take things as seriously as we should have," said Grix.
"Everybody expected us to win. The defeat didn't do us any good. We had a hangover for the next few weeks."
Warrington will return to Craven Park today as underdogs against a side lying second in the Super League table.
"We've been pretty evenly matched this year," said Wolves coach Tony Smith. "We've played each other twice and both were hard-fought games.
"You wouldn't think so if you looked at the competition table. They're quite a few positions ahead of us and they're probably firm favourites in a lot of people's eyes.
Huddersfield Giants bring back prop Paul Jackson in place of loan second-row Lee Mossop, who is cup-tied, for their clash tomorrow against Castleford Tigers.
Coach Nathan Brown will make a late decision on the fitness of captain Brett Hodgson, who has missed the last three games with a leg injury.
Castleford are boosted by the return from injury of loose forward Ryan McGoldrick, the club's acting captain, full-back Richard Owen, hooker Kirk Netherton and utility man Dean Widders. Rangi Chase is set to switch to scrum-half in the absence of Brent Sherwin, who is ruled out with an ankle injury.
Gateshead Thunder, who are probably the competition's biggest quarter-final underdogs at 1,000-1, are determined to enjoy their day in the sun when they take on the holders and 8-15 favourites St Helens at the International Stadium today.
While Gateshead have never previously been beyond the fourth round, Saints have not lost a Challenge Cup-tie for almost four years and are aiming for a record ninth successive semi-final.
Wigan remained on course for Wembley after a hat-trick of tries from winger Pat Richards helped them to see off plucky Salford 28-6 at JJB Stadium last night.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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