WARRINGTON Wolves will be without one of their major pack stars in England second-row forward Ben Westwood tonight.

But the minor champions still boast a very strong line-up against the Giants in the first game of the 2011 Super League play-offs.

Since former Huddersfield coach Tony Smith’s arrival back in 2009, the Wolves have improved from a position of 10th to the league -leaders crown - with two Challenge Cup titles coming in between!

It’s the league, though that has eluded the Wolves in recent times, with their last title win coming 25 years ago!

That wait for a title could, however, soon be coming to an end, with the club being in such a strong financial position, which has allowed them to flourish in recent years in all aspects of the game.

In particular, the money has come in handy in regards to the playing roster, with representative stars such as Adrian Morley, Matt King and former Giants captain Brett Hodgson just a few of the world’s best that have recently donned the primrose and blue.

Added to the undoubted coaching qualities of Smith and the intimidating atmosphere created at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, the Giants will have a tough task on their hands when they take to the field at 8pm in their bid to progress into the preliminary finals at the first attempt.

THE influential Michael Monaghan is just one of the many outstanding talents that the Wolves will be able to call on against the Giants.

With his darting runs and awareness out of dummy-half, the former Canberra Raiders and Manly Sea Eagles star is sure to provide Nathan Brown’s men with a bit of a headache tonight.

Monaghan has troubled Huddersfield on the big stage before, with the hooker winning the Lance Todd trophy in their 2009 Challenge Cup triumph against the Giants.

TONY SMITH will be hoping to erase the memories of last years play-off defeat to the Giants with a victory in their opening finals game.

The stakes aren’t as high this year with the loser of Friday night’s clash getting a second chance to progress.

But Leroy Cudjoe’s length-of-the-field try - as well as Nathan Brown’s dancing down the touchline will be something that the former England coach will not want to witness again in his pursuit to gain a third Super League trophy.

The Australian last week became the first coach to win the League Leaders Shield with two different clubs.

Will he be the first coach to lead two different clubs to Super League Grand Final glory.