Fred Done, co-founder of the Birchwood-based Super League sponsors Betfred, gives us his views on The Wire's clash with Wigan and the Wembley date with St Helens...

WARRINGTON desperately need a pick-me-up ahead of their Wembley date.

Although both teams were significantly weakened, I’m sure Steve Price and his boys would have been in a better frame of mind if they had put one over runaway Betfred Super League favourites St Helens.

Instead, they suffered a 12-30 loss against their August 24 Challenge Cup Final opponents and now they need to lift themselves, starting with Friday’s trip to Wigan, who are on something of a run as they bid for a top-five finish.

Both clubs are chasing second spot behind runaway leaders Saints – with Wire two points ahead of their fourth-place hosts – so a cracker is on the cards.

Betfred have the Warriors at 1/3 to triumph on Friday with Wire at 5/2.

Price tried to put a brave face on the Saints defeat and must have been pleased with stalwart Stefan Ratchford, who was back to his best.

The coach reckons his players showed a lot of fighting spirit, which they did although admitting it wasn’t perfect at times.

Wolves remain second-favourites at with us 7/2 for Grand Final glory with Saints 8/11, Wigan 9/1 and Hull FC at 11/1.

What about my home town team Salford, who are coming strongly up the rails at 33/1 – the same odds as Castleford and Catalans.

For Wembley, Saints are 2/5 to win with the Wolves 7/4, which isn’t a bad bet considering it’s a one-off game and Price has the star performers capable of providing an upset.

And if you are super confident that this is Wire’s year then Betfred are 11/1 that they make it a double, winning the Challenge Cup AND Grand Final.

Finally, I am delighted about the return of reserve grade rugby league for the 2020 season.

It will give a much-needed stepping stone for those players coming out of academy rugby to progress to the top level team, without having to play for a club they didn’t sign for!

Like Betfred TV pundit and legend Paul Sculthorpe, I’m not a big fan of dual registration with Betfred Championship/League 1 clubs because, even with this, there are not nearly enough opportunities for players to play, and if you aren’t playing how do you develop?

We have some great young players in Betfred Super League, so hopefully this decision will help to develop many more.