MARSHALL TRYING TO MAKE AMENDS
Wigan wing hoping to keep up his scoring spree and make up for last season’s final horror show
Warrington v Wigan
Quarter-final; Halliwell Jones Stadium, 2.30pm
LIAM MARSHALL wants to continue his stunning scoring streak against Warrington – before atoning for last year’s Wembley heartache.
The Wigan winger has scored 10 tries in his last six games against the Wolves, including one in their 38-10 Magic Weekend win two weeks ago.
But Marshall is expecting a different Warrington side today with the prospect of a Challenge Cup semi-final place at stake.
The prolific 22-year-old was a late call-up for last year’s final against Hull FC, but had a tough afternoon opposite Fetuli Talanoa as the Black and Whites lifted the trophy.
Marshall said: “Last year we got to Wembley and it was disappointing – the weekend wasn’t how we expected, especially for me individually.
“It was disappointing and upsetting and I don’t want to feel like that again, so hopefully we can get back there.
“I tend not to dwell on things and am pretty laid-back most of the time.
“But for a few days after the final last year it was tough as a team and individually. You just have to put that to the back of your mind otherwise it can spiral out of control and affect your performances for weeks after.
“There are always ups and downs in rugby, you just have to put them to bed.”
Today’s mouth-watering clash will see Marshall again pitted against former Wigan winger Josh Charnley (left), with the pair having a running battle in Newcastle a fortnight ago.
Marshall said: “It’s a tough challenge – he’s a competitor and a very good player who’s played for England and won things with Wigan. You want to challenge yourself against top-quality wingers and he’s definitely one.
“I came to Wigan just after he left so I don’t really know him personally.
“But he’s come straight back into league and has been flying, scoring a few tries and been playing well.
“Magic might still be in their minds, but we played them earlier in the season as well – we didn’t play well and they beat us quite convincingly.
“You can’t read too much into these things when it’s a one-off cup game, anything can happen.
“Last week they played well against a quality Hull side, and they tend to be good at home.
“We know we’ll have to be at our best to go through.”