WARRINGTON coach Paul Cullen is delighted Wigan captain Andy Farrell has been cleared to play in Sunday's Powergen Challenge Cup semi-final.

The Great Britain loose forward was found guilty of misconduct over his part in a brawl during the Warriors' 21-21 draw at St Helens on Good Friday, but escaped with a £500 fine.

Hooker Terry Newton, who was sin-binned for his part in the fighting, is also free to play at the Halton Stadium and that, too, has been welcomed by the Wolves boss, who was encouraged by his weakened team's performance in the Easter Monday dress rehearsal at Wigan.

"We expected Andy Farrell to play, we expected Terry Newton not to be called up, and we expect Brett Dallas, who was apparently knocked out stone cold and had to be helped from the field, to play," said Cullen.

"We want to go against the best side Wigan can put on the field. We don't want to get through on any short cuts."

Through thick and thin

Warrington are expected to be virtually at full strength, with Cullen hoping to welcome back six of the seven players who sat out Monday's 26-24 defeat at the JJB Stadium, including captain Lee Briers.

The Wales international stand-off, who missed the last two months of last season with a broken wrist, has not played since he broke a bone in his hand in his side's 42-10 quarter-final win at Whitehaven.

Briers is hoping to make it third time lucky after being in the Warrington team that lost semi-finals to Bradford in 2000 and 2001.

"I've lost two semis and it would be massive for myself to get there," he said. "But also for Warrington as a whole, the supporters have been through thick and thin, and it would be awesome for the town.

"I've played at the Millennium Stadium twice for Wales and it's an awesome atmosphere but right now the Halton Stadium is the big one."

St Helens back row forward Jon Wilkin and winger Dom Feaunati will both miss the second Challenge Cup semi-final against Huddersfield on Sunday week through suspension.

Wilkin was handed a four-match ban and fined £300 after being sent off for an off-the-ball challenge on Bradford scrum-half Paul Deacon on Monday while Feaunati was suspended for three matches and fined £300 for his part in the Good Friday brawl against Wigan.

St Helens' captain Paul Sculthorpe was cleared to play against Salford tomorrow after being found not guilty of punching.

Alex Murphy, the last man to captain Wolves to Challenge Cup glory in 1974, says both coaches are taking big risks by including Briers and Adrian Lam in what is a massive semi-final.

"In Lam's case, his football brain won't be a problem but the body parts could," said Murphy.

"I rate young Briers very highly. He's a tremendous footballer who's not afraid to vary play. He thinks for Warrington and I can fully understand why he needs to be out there.

"For Wigan's talented youngsters it is a perfect opportunity to progress to the big stage. You might say their time has come.

"You can never write off Wigan but Warrington are in a great position and a win could be the making of them. It will come down to who wants it the most."

Referee is Steve Ganson from St Helens.

Meanwhile, Wigan are set to give trials to London Irish Rugby Union winger Ed Thrower.

Wigan council are expected to approve Leigh's new ground scheme in the next 48 hours. It is a multi-purpose complex that will house a variety of sports.

Qualifying draw for the quarter-finals of the Arriva Trains Cup: Barrow v Keighley, York v Featherstone, Doncaster v Oldham. Ties to be played on Sunday, April 25.

The winners will join the five teams who topped their groups - Whitehaven, Hull KR, Leigh, Halifax and Batley - in the hat for the quarter-final draw.

Tweet