SUPER League's in-form team Warrington Wolves take another step on the road to Twickenham tomorrow with a ringing endorsement from Alex Murphy.

He guided Warrington to a strong of Challenge Cup triumphs in the 1970s and knows success is long overdue.

Wolves host coach Paul Cullen's former club Whitehaven and Murphy said: "I'd list Warrington as one of the favourites.

"They now know they can compete with the top teams and they look a good bet to go all the way.

"Warrington have signed a lot of quality players. They performed extremely well at St Helens last week and many people said they were unlucky to lose.

"Cup football is totally different from league action, it's game-to-game and Warrington seem to have something about them that gives them a good advantage."

Coach Cullen served his apprenticeship at Whitehaven before returning to Warrington. He watched Whitehaven defeat Oldham last week and is certainly not under- estimating the Cumbrians, who are one of the National League's strongest forces.

Whitehaven

Cullen said: "Whitehaven are a wonderful club and I greatly enjoyed my time there but was covering around 1,000 miles a week.

"I didn't feel it at the time as it was only when I finished travelling up there I realised how much time I was spending on the road."

Cullen has also revealed he tried his best to sign Whitehaven's highly-rated winger Craig Calvert, a player with genuine pace who has impressed a number of clubs.

Wolves will be without Kiwi forward Paul Rauhihi, who has a leg injury.

Cup favourites St Helens were hoping to have full-back Paul Wellens back from injury for this afternoon's televised tie with Bradford.

Injury-hit Widnes Vikings host Les Catalans tomorrow.

They beat Castleford in the last round but could have their work cut out against the French and another defeat will further increase the pressure on under-fire boss Steve McCormack.

Widnes are still smarting from last week's home defeat by promotion rivals Hull KR. Tweet