IT seems poetic that Sam Powell is set to make his 300th career appearance against the club for whose colours he has worn for the vast majority of them.
In what will be his first reunion with hometown club Wigan Warriors since joining Warrington Wolves, however, the hooker insists it will be all business when the hooter goes.
The 31-year-old sits on 299 appearances since making his senior debut in 2012, with 273 of them coming in the cherry and white of Wigan.
Eleven years in the first-team picture came to an end during the off-season, though, and he was snapped up by The Wire, for whom he has featured in all 15 games so far this year.
With three England Knights caps and eight dual-registration appearances at Workington Town and South Wales Scorpions combined making up his number, it is a milestone Powell is proud to reach – even if he admits he was not aware!
“That’s pretty cool – I didn’t know that,” he said about reaching 300 games.
“I’m looking forward to it off the back of a really good performance at the weekend. We’ve trained really well so we can’t wait.
“It’s going to be strange. Obviously I played there for a long time and I’ve got good relationships with a lot of people there, so it’s something I’m looking forward to if for no other reason other than the challenge.
“We haven’t played them yet this year so it will be great to see where we’re at and how we’re travelling as a club. They’re the benchmark with that.
“It’s going to be strange for me but once the ball is kicked, it’s another game of rugby.”
On both sides of the divide between these two neighbours, build-up to what is one of the marquee games in the northern hemisphere has been slightly lower-key than usual – and for good reason.
Both sides are in the strange scenario of facing each other a week before they lock horns at Wembley Stadium in the Challenge Cup Final, so will it be difficult for the players to keep next week’s game out of their mind?
“Yes and no,” Powell answered.
“We all know how close the league is, so two points is very important this week.
“In saying that, I’m a realist – Wembley is always going to be in the back of your head. It makes it a bit stranger that it’s Wigan then Wigan again.”
Powell is one of only two ever-presents in the Warrington team this season, with full-back Matt Dufty being the other.
Depending on how head coach Sam Burgess reshuffles his team this weekend – if at all – his may end up being the only unblemished appearance record left but he insists he has a more important focus.
“It’s not so much about keeping the record, it’s more about me being consistent,” he said.
“I’m nearly 32 and I’m not playing big minutes every week, so I’m quite fresh for this time of year.
“Being ever-present is pretty cool, but I’m more focused on being consistent.”
All bar one of his appearances have come from the bench this season, with Danny Walker starting every game he has been available for at hooker.
Indeed, Powell has often jumped in at loose forward during his time at The Halliwell Jones Stadium – something he says he is relishing.
“I don’t mind,” he said.
“I’m not really a good substitute, to be honest, so I’m just happy to be on the field whether it’s at nine, loose forward or I played a bit of half earlier in the year. I just want to get on the pitch.
“It’s not too different in terms of defence – I just have to remember not to jump behind the play-the-ball!”
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