STEVE Price described The Wire’s Challenge Cup Final defeat to Catalans Dragons as “gut-wrenching” but accepted his side were second-best.

Warrington were heavy favourites but turned in a below-par display at Wembley Stadium as the Dragons became the first French side to win the Challenge Cup.

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Price admitted his side’s start to the game, which saw them concede a try in the second minute, cost them the game.

He says he and his coaching staff will need to find the answers quickly, with their next Super 8s game against Hull FC just five days away.

“It is gut-wrenching to lose, especially with the amount of hard work the boys have put in,” he said.

“It is tough to take at the moment.

“You have to give credit where it is due. Catalans were the better team today

“They came with a game plan to bring a lot of energy at the start of the game.

“I was so disappointed with our first 25 minutes. We weren’t at the races.

“We did well to get back into the game and had chances to draw even but it wasn’t to be.

“To be a successful organisation, we need to find out the answers.

“Over the next couple of days, we will do that.”

There was a moment of controversy in the first half as Tom Lineham looked to have crossed when the score was 8-0 in Catalans’ favour, only for video referee Ben Thaler to rule the try out for an obstruction by Joe Philbin.

Price called the decision “frustrating” but highlighted factors his side could control as more disappointing.

“He (the Catalans defender) clearly went in there to make a tackle. He had eyes for Joe Philbin,” he said.

“It doesn’t affect the try as there were three defenders on the outside so I can’t understand it.

“He’s clearly made an attempt to tackle Joe Philbin, so it is frustrating.

“There were periods in which we did some really good things to get ourselves back into the game, but we let them off with silly errors.

“Our kicking options could have been better also.

“We’ll pick the eyes out of it down the track, but it won’t help us now.

“We have to get our heads up, channel it and get back on the horse on Thursday night.”

Watch Price’s full post-match press conference above