Captain out to mark a new era for Warrington

Warrington co-captain Jack Hughes says they are determined to win a first trophy under Steve Price and kick-start a new era at the club.

The Wolves have tasted defeat in six consecutive finals, including both the Challenge Cup and Super League Grand Finals last season, and haven’t been league champions since 1955 – the longest barren run of a previous winner in the top flight (Castleford, Catalans and London have never won the top flight).

For Hughes, he will be looking to use the disappointment of last year to spur the side on.

He said: “To only have bad memories of what should be a good time is pretty upsetting.

“As a club under Steve, our next step is bring a trophy to the club. We made it to both finals last year which you could say was a good year, but we have high expectations. We really expect ourselves to bringing trophies back now.

“We know how good Saints are, as does everyone else, they deserve to be where they are.

“We’re going to have to be at our best without a doubt.

“They say form goes out of the window and I genuinely believe that this week, that we will go out and take full confidence and belief in what we’ve done in the past and take that next step to lifting the trophy.”

The former Wigan back-rower has been sharing the captaincy with Chris Hill this season – and he revealed that Hill will be the one lifting the trophy, should Wire manage it.

He added: “It would be something really special to do it as a captain.

“It’s a role I’m still growing in to and I’m growing a strong relationship with Chris and driving standards in and around the club and enjoying the extra responsibility.

“Chris will be doing the trophy lifting, but just to be beside him and get our first one under Steve and the new era as the club labelled it, will be really special.”

It is Warrington’s 18th Challenge Cup final – they have registered eight wins, the last of those coming in 2012.

They have appeared in six of the past 11 Challenge Cup finals.