Warrington Wolves' Danny Walker hopes for double play-off joy

However, it will not be the only play-off tie Warrington Wolves’ number nine has an interest in that day.

Dream Team hooker Walker will no doubt play a key role for The Wire as they look to extend their play-off campaign beyond the first week for the first time since 2018 by beating their neighbours for a fourth time this year.

A semi-final trip to Hull KR awaits a week on Friday should they manage it and the following day, Walker could have a Grand Final to savour for the Crosfields team he helps to coach.

Before Soap can think about a trip to Featherstone Rovers’ Post Office Road for that, however, they have a tough National Conference League Division One semi-final at Ince Rose Bridge to negotiate on Saturday.

While Walker won’t be directly involved on game day, he insists he will help prepare them as best they can in his role as assistant to head coach Rob Campbell.

“It’s been a bit of a mixed one – on days we’ve been great and on others, we’ve been pretty poor like this weekend,” he said of Soap, who finished sixth in the final table having lost their final regular-season game to Hull Dockers on Saturday.

“Hopefully, they go and attack it on Saturday at Ince – we’ve already beaten them away this year.

“It would be nice for the boys – I’ll be down at training with them trying to get them ready.”

Danny Walker with Crosfields head coach Rob Campbell (Image: Dominic Caswell) Coaching is something Walker has always enjoyed having previously helped out at Hood Lane before stepping away for a spell to focus on his growing family with partner Chloe.

And he feels having an off-field role has helped him see things differently when he pulls on the primrose and blue jersey.

“I’m a bit of a rugby geek and I just love being around it,” he said.

“It’s harder now I’ve got the kids – my Mrs gets a bit annoyed every now and then when I come in from training then go back out to Crosfields!

“I do love it though and it probably helps me as a player.

“It gives me a different perspective of things out on the field in terms of moments you take or don’t take that might frustrate the coach.”

While he may allow himself to glance at Crosfields’ result at the weekend, Walker’s full focus will be on steering his boyhood club past their rivals and a step closer to Old Trafford.

He has featured in all three victories over Paul Wellens’ side this year, including one at The Halliwell Jones Stadium earlier this month, but he insists they will all count for nothing.

First and foremost, though, he is itching to get out there and try to avenge the defeat to Saints at this stage last season.

Danny Walker celebrates the Challenge Cup win at St Helens in April with the Wire fans (Image: SWPix.com) “I remember being in the stands watching games like this,” he said.

“Last year, we got a bit of a taste of it and Saints did us over that day, so hopefully we can get a bit of revenge on them.

“We’re certainly confident as a group, but it’s knockout rugby.

“You don’t win any trophies for beating Saints three times in a year, but we could get closer to winning one by beating them again. They will probably be a little hurt so we know what’s coming.

“We’re expecting them to be physical, but we’ve been great on that side of the game of late so we’re ready for it.

“It’s a game I just wish I could go and put my boots on now and play.”

While he can expect to be in Sam Burgess’ 17 on Saturday barring a late hiccup, the role Walker will play is perhaps less clear.

In recent weeks, he has regularly swapped roles with Sam Powell, starting some weeks and coming off the bench in others.

He insists he has no preference even while hinting his style of play perhaps suits an interchange role and also heaped praise on Powell’s impact on him.

“I love starting and getting straight into it, but Powelly does a really good job for us,” he said.

“I know what he brings in that starting role – he brings the lads into the game and then after 20-25 minutes, I come on and try and light it up a bit.

“Coming off the bench probably does suit my game, but I’ve always loved getting amongst it physically so I’m happy either way.

“I can’t speak highly enough of Powelly. He probably doesn’t realise what he’s done for me personally.

“He’s a born winner and he knows how much it means to play for your home town as he did it for so many years at Wigan.

“I’m envious of the number of titles he won with his and now, I want to win one with mine too.

“He gets that and he’s certainly been a great addition for us.”