Marsh: Expecting a tough challenge

• Wigan Warriors Women’s Carys Marsh previews Sunday’s Challenge Cup group stage opener against Cardiff Demons.
• Marsh: “We know we can play better than we did last weekend so we’re definitely looking to fix some bits up.”
• Cardiff Demons v Wigan Warriors, Sunday 23rd April, University of Cardiff, 2pm K.O.

Wigan Warriors Women’s Carys Marsh says the team are expecting a tough challenge in this weekend’s Challenge Cup group opener away to Cardiff Demons.

Ahead of the game, she said: “We’re really looking forward to this one, it’ll be good to get the Challenge Cup underway. We know we can play better than we did last weekend so we’re definitely looking to fix some bits up.”

The Warriors will face Cardiff Demons in their first group game, as the sides come head-to-head for the first time: “The trip down and overnight stay will be great for us. We didn’t get the chance for a team building weekend during pre-season so it’s good to get this away trip in so early in the season. We’ve got a lot of new girls from last year so spending the extra time together will be fun.

“We’re expecting a tough challenge from Cardiff, some of the girls I know very well from the Wales squad. Their forwards are strong, with quick backs and halves with great hands and organisation. Leanne Burnell will Captain them and she was Player of the Match in our Wales game against England last summer so I’m expecting she’ll lead the girls around very well, she’ll be a threat in attack and work hard in defence.”

The Warriors will be looking to start strong as they aim to progress from the Group Stages, with a final at Wembley on the cards for the finalists: “It’s been a long time since I last played in any finals so the desire is always there for me to get to the final, regardless of the venue! I think the benefit of it being at Wembley is that it creates more exposure for the Women’s game and everyone in the competition is excited.”

Wigan ground out a draw in their Betfred Women’s Super League Round 1 game last weekend, with Marsh certain there is improvement in the tank: “We’ve looked at this as a team and know we need to switch on much quicker and be more dominant in contact. It could have been a different game if it wasn’t for our high number of errors so we need to cut them down to give ourselves the best chance of playing like we know we can do.”

Finally, Sunday’s game will be streamed on OurLeague as broadcasting of the Women’s game continues to rise: “It’s great to have more games being broadcast, especially with this game being further away than normal so our families can still watch! Having all the Women’s World cup games available to watch on the BBC was amazing, so getting more games streamed on OurLeague and other platforms can hopefully keep audiences high.”