TWO former teammates are ready to go head-to-head in the semi-final of the Powergen Challenge Cup.
Wigan and Warrington will meet in the first last-four clash at the Halton Stadium in Widnes on Sunday, April 18.
The match is a repeat of the 1990 final and will also bring together Wigan coach Mike Gregory and Wolves boss Paul Cullen, who were former Warrington teammates.
And Cullen claimed the draw was not a surprise.
"It is a draw we expected," he said. "We even wrote it on the whiteboard in the office.
"It is a massive occasion for both clubs and both will be desperate to get to the final."
Warriors assistant coach Denis Betts echoed Cullen's sentiments, saying: "This is the way we thought it would go.
"It is a semi-final against a very fierce rival from down the road.
"That will make it very competitive and a great spectacle for the fans."
The match is also a repeat of last season's epic Super League Grand Final play-off clash at the JJB Stadium.
Wigan eventually took the honours 25-12 on their way to the Old Trafford final itself.
But the Wolves were in the hunt for much of the contest and it would have been no great surprise had Warrington gone on to win the game.
Immediately after the contest, coach Cullen said: "Proud doesn't sum up the effort and quality of the display of the players.
"We made an absolute mockery of the three or four million pounds that is separating the budgets of the two sides.
"We have seen the best performance from Wigan all season - they needed that to beat us."
And clearly the Warriors will need to be at their very best if they are to beat a Warrington side who have been getting better and better under Cullen.
