SATURDAY’S sixth-round meeting in Perpignan will be the fifth Challenge Cup meeting between Catalans Dragons and Warrington Wolves.
The previous four have encompassed some of the competition’s key matches, including the final itself in 2018.
Here’s a look at all of the Challenge Cup clashes between The Wire and their French rivals…
WIRE 54 CATALANS 12 – 2010 semi-final
On their way to a historic successful defence of rugby league’s oldest knockout competition, Warrington booked their Wembley return in some style.
Louis Anderson scored a hat-trick as Tony Smith’s men ran riot in front of their jubilant fans who had packed out Widnes’ Stobart Stadium.
Ben Harrison, Matt King, Chris Riley, Lee Briers, Richie Myler and Jon Clarke were also on the scoresheet as, having been given a major scare by Bradford Bulls in the last eight, there would be no upset on this occasion.
Wire team: Richie Mathers; Chris Hicks, Matt King, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Michael Monaghan; Adrian Morley, Jon Clarke, Garreth Carvell, Louis Anderson, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Paul Wood, David Solomona, Vinnie Anderson, Richie Myler
CATALANS 22 WIRE 32 – 2012 quarter-final
Wire’s run to Wembley victory in 2012 also saw them run into Catalans, and it was a game in which they had to hold off a second-half fightback.
Joel Monaghan and Lopini Paea swapped early tries before the visitors took command late in the first half in Perpignan thanks to Chris Riley and Brett Hodgson, the latter of whom also added a penalty goal.
A strong Dragons response saw Vincent Duport, Ben Fisher and Mikael Simon touch down after half time, but Paul Wood’s try and a late Chris Bridge interception effort booked a semi-final spot.
Wire team: Brett Hodgson; Joel Monaghan, Chris Bridge, Ryan Atkins, Chris Riley; Lee Briers, Gareth O’Brien; Garreth Carvell, Micky Higham, Chris Hill, Trent Waterhouse, Ben Westwood, Ben Harrison. Subs: Simon Grix, Paul Wood, Mike Cooper, Tyrone McCarthy
CATALANS 20 WIRE 14 – 2018 final
This proved to be a historic day as Catalans became the first foreign side to win the Challenge Cup as they inflicted heartbreak on Steve Price’s Wire side.
Warrington found themselves chasing the game almost immediately, with Lewis Tierney’s second-minute try and a Josh Drinkwater penalty putting them 8-0 down after as many minutes.
Ben Murdoch-Masila’s try cut the deficit, but scores either side of half time from Ben Garcia and Brayden Wiliame effectively sealed it for the Dragons.
George King touched down just shy of the hour mark and Tyrone Roberts’ penalty set up a grandstand finish, but it was to be Catalans’ day.
Wire team: Stefan Ratchford; Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Toby King, Josh Charnley; Kevin Brown, Tyrone Roberts; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Harvey Livett, Jack Hughes, Ben Westwood. Subs: Ben Murdoch-Masila, George King, Dec Patton, Joe Philbin
CATALANS 6 WIRE 16 – 2021 quarter final
In the behind-closed-doors era, The Wire put in an excellent defensive performance to see off the Super League-leading Dragons at Headingley.
Daryl Clark scored twice in the first half, with Gareth Widdop adding a penalty to take them into half-time with a 14-0 advantage.
Another Widdop penalty extended the lead further and while Catalans did eventually get over the line through Mike McMeeken, Warrington advanced to the semi-finals where they were beaten by Salford Red Devils.
Wire team: Greg Inglis; Josh Thewlis, Jake Mamo, Toby King, Josh Charnley; Blake Austin, Gareth Widdop; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Jack Hughes, Jason Clark. Subs: Joe Philbin, Matt Davis, Robbie Mulhern, Sitaleki Akauola
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