WHO would be a rugby league coach?

By now, Steve Price will have finalised his team for tomorrow night’s trip to Castleford – and I’d wager he will have all but decided which of his players will play at Wembley next weekend.

Since that glorious afternoon in Bolton a little under two weeks ago, an intriguing conundrum was presented to the Wire boss, in his first season of coaching in England.

Two Super 8s games before the Challenge Cup Final – how do you play them?

Do you shuffle the pack? Sure, it means your best players will be fresh for the big day out in London, but you risk losing momentum, games and ground on rival teams.

Or, do you go all in and keep your team the same and risk one of your star names picking up an injury and missing out on one of the game’s showpiece events?

Fate fell in The Wire’s favour last week as they were confronted with Wembley opponents Catalans, who have already secured their Super League status and are surely too far adrift of the top four to make a late charge.

The Challenge Cup is their be all and end all and thus, Steve McNamara duly rang the changes.

Warrington Guardian:

The Wire thrashed a much-changed Catalans side last week. Picture by Mike Boden

For what it’s worth, I think the Wolves side Price went with that night would probably have beaten whatever the Dragons put in front of them given the circumstances.

Five days after a Challenge Cup semi-final – and having to travel back and forth to France in that time – would have taken its toll on their star players.

The real test for Warrington and Price comes tomorrow night. A game you feel they have to win.

A victory would see them head to Wembley in an ideal position in the league – two points clear of Castleford and breathing down the necks of second-placed Wigan.

If they feel they are in with a serious chance of overhauling the Warriors, they cannot really afford to give up any ground, least of all to a team that has similar ambitions.

Heading to the home of your nearest rivals without your top try scorer may cause heads to be scratched, but I think Price has got it right again by leaving Josh Charnley out alongside Ben Westwood.

READ: Charnley and Westwood left out of Wire squad

Charnley has not missed a game since making his debut on Good Friday, and Wolves need him in peak condition next week.

I too would have rested him. Whether or not it turns out to be the right call will only be determined at around 10pm tomorrow.

Besides, when fringe players have been called upon this year, they have rarely let The Wire down. Mitch Brown is the ultimate professional, Bodene Thompson had a very encouraging debut last week and George King appears to be playing himself into a bit of form.

Should any of these players line up for Price at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, I believe The Wire will be in safe hands.