Farrell: Full focus

Liam Farrell looks ahead to this weekend’s Coral Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie against Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium.
The second-row talks about what the competition means to him and what he expects from Hull FC on Saturday.
Farrell: “You have to go into the game and make sure you give 100 per cent, there’s no second chances, so you have to fully focus on the job.”

Liam Farrell hopes the current Warriors squad can become part of Wigan’s Challenge Cup ‘legacy’.

Their run in the competition begins this Saturday with a Quarter Final tie against Hull FC at the AJ Bell Stadium (K.O. 5pm), which is live on BBC Two.

Having won the competition in 2011 and 2013, Farrell knows how special the competition is to the Club and remembers watching it as a fan growing up.

He said: “One of my most fond memories was going to watch Wigan in Edinburgh and seeing them win it in 2002. Adrian Lam was a key part of that team, with other big names like Rads (Kris Radlinski) and Andy Farrell also in the team, so that was my kind of era. I also have very good memories of being involved as a player as well.

Farrell knows how much the Coral Challenge Cup means to the Warriors.

“The Club has a great history and has had some long runs in the competition, so we know what is expected of us as players and hopefully we can add to that legacy. You have to go into the game and make sure you give 100 per cent, there’s no second chances, so you have to fully focus on the job.”

The 30-year-old admits this weekend has a different feel to it than a league game.

“There is a little bit of added pressure because we know it is a must win game if we want to progress. There are a lot of boys in the squad who haven’t played in the Challenge Cup before or have been to the Final, so it is really exciting and we want to try and get them there as it will be one of the best weekends of their lives.”

Farrell was involved in Wigan’s last Challenge Cup win in 2013.

The second-row is aware of the tough task that awaits the Warriors, as Adrian Lam’s side face 2016 and 2017 winners, Hull FC.

“It has been a while since we have had a good run in the Cup, so it will be good to get it up and running. It will be a tough one against Hull but it is one we are all looking forward to. They have had a mixed bag of results this season, but have some superstar players , who on their day can cause a lot of trouble.

“They have good form in the Cup, and we know what to expect from them as they’ll be up for it, but it is about making sure we perform because there is a lot of hard work in front of us. We are coming in on the back of a pretty good result, so spirits are high. We want to get as far as we can, and it starts this weekend.”

Farrell says he will share his experiences with the younger members of the squad.

Whilst Farrell has been successful in the competition on two occasions, he also knows what defeat feels like, and still thinks about the loss to the Black and Whites in the 2017 Final.

“It’s disappointing to get knocked out early, but it is even worse to lose a Final. On the flip side, I have been fortunate enough to win it, so I will relay those experiences onto the young boys and hopefully they can jump on board and it will give them motivation to win it.

“I’m hungrier than ever to win it this year, as it’s been seven seasons since we had glory there. I think we have a young but talented squad who are capable of getting there, so we’ve got a good chance to push all the way if we keep everyone fit.”

Following last week’s 12-28 victory over Catalans Dragons, Farrell says Wigan can now push on for the rest of the season.

“I wouldn’t call it a turning point, but it is a defining moment that we will look back on if things are successful for us this year.”