WARRINGTON Wolves’ strongest available side will line up against Doncaster on Sunday with boss Tony Smith refusing to underestimate Championship opposition.
Smith will not use the competition as a chance to rest players and has ruled out handing debuts to any academy youngsters.
And the head of coaching and rugby believes his first-teamers will show no signs of complacency.
“It’s full steam ahead with the Challenge Cup,” he said. “They’re a quality team, Doncaster, sitting third in the Championship having beaten some of the main contenders.
“We’re not taking them lightly, pretty much our strongest squad. Players enjoy the Challenge Cup and enjoy what it means to perform on the day.
“It brings its own hype. They understand the implications of performing well or not – that finality of your performance in the Challenge Cup inspires you.”
Smith also hopes Wolves’ loss at Castleford, which he called ‘uncomfortable to watch’, can spark a revival like the Easter Monday 2012 defeat to Catalan Dragons did - Wolves went on to lift the Challenge Cup.
“It really did give us a kick in the teeth and forced us into an attitude that was positive for us at that stage,” he added.
“Hopefully the game at the weekend could be the catalyst for the future. Some of those bad times can inspire you to go to different levels you probably didn’t know you can find.”
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