CAT SCRATCH
Latest French lesson so sore for Williams
GEORGE WILLIAMS admits Warrington still need to prove themselves as genuine title contenders after suffering painful deja vu.
The England captain takes his side to Leeds on Friday having let slip their mantle as early Super League leaders. Warrington had won five on the bounce in all competitions before Saturday’s 32-24 home loss against Catalans. Their only other defeat also was against last season’s beaten Grand Finalists and Sam Burgess (inset) has yet to see his side see off one of the big clubs.
Stand-off Williams said: “That’s the reality. Catalans are a top-four team and we have lost twice to them, so that’s an indication of where we’re at. “Leeds away is always a tough game no matter how they’re going. I’m sure after watching that (loss against Catalans) Leeds will be quite giddy too. “But Headingley is probably my favourite away ground. I’m looking forward to it.” Williams made only his third appearance of the season against the Dragons. Woeful Warrington fell 18-0 behind after just 12 minutes but got back to 18-12 at the break, only to slip further off the pace again.
The ex-Wigan and Canberra ace said: “We probably got what we deserved. We did well to get back into the game.
“But to give them an 18-point lead, get back in the game and at the start of the second half do the same thing – they scored two quick tries – it was deja vu with both halves.
“They’re too good a team to do that against. We showed some character to get back in it and at the end I did think we had it.
“But disappointment is the main thing.”
Meanwhile, Warrington’s Paul Vaughan will miss Friday’s game and the Challenge Cup quarter-final against St Helens after being hit with a two-game ban.
Leeds will be without Cameron Smith and Justin Sangare after they were served onematch penalty notices. But Wigan prop Liam Byrne faces a potential FIVE-game ban after being ordered to face a tribunal for a Grade E head contact which saw him sent off in the Good Friday loss at Saints.
Team-mate Tyler Dupree received a one-game ban and St Helens prop Matty Lees has received a two-game suspension.