VILLENEUVE Leopards' Australian player-coach Grant Doorey said stranger things have happened than his team winning through to the 2001 Silk Cut Challenge Cup semi-finals.

He added: "It's a two-horse race and in a two-horse race we have a chance. I'm not dreaming that we're going to win the game but if we're on top of our game and Warrington are not on top of theirs, then anything could happen."

With six World Cup French internationals in their ranks they are dangerous opposition and one man, in particular, is seen as their lethal weapon.

Freddie Banquet, who has had spells in England with Featherstone Rovers and Sheffield Eagles, will be playing scrum half against Allan Langer but is usually a full back or winger.

Ex-Keighley Cougars prop forward Doorey said: "Freddie has been playing scrum half for the past six weeks, which was enforced on me by injuries to two half backs.

"He is the most naturally talented player I have had to work with. He is very casual and laid back and not the best trainer but he can turn on some spark out of anything."

Banquet is typical of French flair but Doorey admits the Leopards may have to change their usual playing style as they gain their wish of testing themselves against a Super League club.

He said: "In the French Championship we can get away with being unpredictable. Defences are not as tight so whether or not we play our usual open style against Warrington is under question."

Doorey, who's team has so far knocked out Halton Simms Cross, York Wasps and Rochdale Hornets, said he and his players know what is in store for them at Wilderspool. They have watched Warrington's game against Wigan on video and have liaised with Paul Terzis, the coach of the Leigh side which lost to Warrington in the previous round.

Doorey said: "A team including the likes of Allan Langer, Kevin Walters and Andrew Gee is going to be tough to beat. After the incidents in the Wigan game, which I feel were blown out of proportion by the Press, the Warrington crowd will also be fired up for their team and we're expecting it to be hot for the first 20 minutes.

"But I don't think we will be overawed. The feeling I am getting from the players is that we want to give a good account of ourselves and if it is Warrington that goes through, we want to make sure they have to earn that right."

Both Doorey and Wolves coach Darryl Van de Velde have pointed out that Villeneuve's back rowers of Artie Shead, Brock Meuller and Laurent Carrasco are in good form.

Centre Daniel Vergniol scored two tries in each of the previous two Challenge Cup rounds.

Villeneuve will be travelling to England on Saturday and will be staying overnight in St. Helens.