Tetley's Challenge Cup: Bradford Bulls v Warrington Wolves preview

Bradford Bulls will aim to put their disappointing Super League season on hold on Sunday as they host Warrington Wolves for a place in the Tetley’s Challenge Cup semi-finals.

Francis Cummins’ Bulls are currently languishing 13th in the Super League ladder with just four wins from 15 matches, while the Wolves are well poised to make the play-offs in fifth.

The last two cup meetings between the Bulls and Warrington have ended in wins for the Wolves, who on both occasions went on to lift the trophy.

Seldom has there been joy at Odsal this term but the visit of the Wolves, who made the Super League Grand Final last term, was one occasion the Bulls have savoured.

In the only meeting between the sides this term, it was the struggling Bulls who outscored the Wolves six tries to five as they claimed a 34-28 victory in West Yorkshire, although Tony Smith is eager to right that wrong.

“We’ve got a great affiliation with the cup as a club and the fans have played a huge part in that,” the Warrington head coach told the club’s official site.

“I think there’s a great excitement for the club when it comes to the Challenge Cup and we’re determined to go there and put in a really good display.”

Wembley dream

Both sides enter the quarter-final clash on the back of Super League victories after Warrington overpowered Leeds Rhinos and Bulls vice-captain Luke Gale is determined to see Bradford build on their victory over Wakefield Wildcats as they pursue a place in the showpiece event.  

“Every kid dreams of running out at Wembley in a Challenge Cup final and I was no different back then,” he told Bradford’s official website.

“We have to carry on from where we left off against the Wildcats, last Sunday, and keep the dream of our supporters and players alive.”

Cummins will be without on-loan Huddersfield prop Antonio Kaufusi, who is cup-tied, so 20-year-old hooker Adam O'Brien is recalled to the squad.

It is an otherwise unchanged pool of 19 to select from for Cummins ahead of the quarter-final tie.

Warrington are without joint-captain Ben Westwood, who serves the second game of a three-match suspension.

Forward James Laithwaite is out for six weeks with a broken foot, but Simon Grix does return from a shoulder problem.

Bradford: Blythe, Henry, Olbison, Purtell, Gale, Kear, Donaldson, O'Brien, George, Ferguson, Diskin, Pitts, Foster, Walker, Addy, Gaskell, Sidlow, Manuokafoa, Fakir

Warrington: Asotasi, Atkins, C. Bridge, Currie, England, B. Evans, R. Evans, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Myler, O'Brien, Ormsby, Ratchford, Riley, Russell