Smarting Wolves

Widnes Vikings are coming to town intent on avoiding a season's whitewashing while a Warrington Wolves side with personnel changes looks ready to dish out a backlash after head coach Paul Cullen revealed his players are 'stinking and smarting' with Sunday's showing at London Broncos.

And it is spicing up a match that will play a major part in deciding play-offs positions. Defeat for Wolves could put them out of the equation and victory for Widnes could give them their spot.

It is all a long way from Widnes not even being in Super League up until last season and Wolves battling for Super League survival last year.

Cullen is not getting involved in all the 'ifs' and 'maybes' surrounding the game but has declared the Wolves versus Vikings 'derby' to be well and truly back on the Rugby League map.

He said: "It's been a non-event for a number of years for obvious reasons but people, who are not from Warrington or Widnes, are taking a look at this match with great interest because of the way the two teams have improved. It's now not simply another game somewhere in Cheshire.

"The whole of Rugby League is looking at this game and I think both clubs can take great credit for that. The supporters, the directors, the management, the coaches and the players have all put this game back on the Rugby League calendar."

And with regards to the top six scenario he said: "I'm sure the top six remains a major topic of conversation, but not within our camp.

"The circus that's involved can be a distraction and we're absolutely adament that we will not allow it to be so."

He added: "We can't forget where we've come from.

"Twelve months ago we were fighting tooth and nail with Salford, Wakefield and Halifax for who was going to finish bottom, second from bottom, third from bottom and fourth from bottom. Halifax actually finished above us.

"We're now fighting tooth and nail with Hull, Widnes, London, Castleford and Huddersfield as to who finishes fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth this year.

"It's been a very competitive league.

"Obviously we'll be judged by where we finish but there's also a mark in that of where we started, and we started a lot lower than the other clubs around us.

"We've gone exceptionally well to be in this position. We need to make sure now that we're still as strong, to finish in a very respectable position.

"This game against Widnes is one that we have earned the right to look forward to."

Wolves have channelled their energy this week into putting right what went wrong at London, which is not unchartered territory.

When Wolves defeated Widnes 34-6 at Wilderspool earlier this season they had lost 56-6 at St. Helens the week before.

So even though Wolves also won 32-28 at Widnes in June, there will be no complacency this week.

Cullen declared his team to be 'stinking and smarting' after the way they performed so inadequately at London Broncos and will be making changes to his team in a bid to make sure the same does not happen again.

Ian Sibbit, after a back injury, Mark Gleeson, after a groin problem and Warren Stevens, after a game with the under 21s last week, have been added to the London 17.

Sibbit has been a first choice centre all season and so the Guardian would expect him to return to the centres but Cullen is keeping his selections close to his chest.

Saturday's match will kick-off at 6pm as it is being broadcast live by Sky Sports.

Wilderspool's Touchdown Club will not be open on Saturday.