Burgess explains why Wire will spend five days in France before Catalans clash

WARRINGTON Wolves have emerged from Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final with a few of their players “banged up and bruised.”

However, they will be able to sooth those aches and pains in France as they gear up for a return to Super League action.

After the 46-10 thrashing of Huddersfield Giants that booked their spot at Wembley Stadium, Warrington head coach Sam Burgess confirmed the team would be flying out to the sunnier climes of southern France on Monday in order to prepare for their clash with Catalans Dragons on Saturday.

It will be the second time The Wire have visited the Stade Gilbert Brutus this season having lost 16-10 there in Round One, while Les Dracs won 32-24 at The Halliwell Jones Stadium in Round Six.

Burgess says it was always the plan to spend almost a week in France ahead of this game and believes it will allow them to “put a flag in the ground” ahead of a key period of the season, with a Challenge Cup Final to now look forward to.

“We didn’t go away in pre-season – I took them on an army camp for two days instead,” he said.

“I looked at the schedule and it’s a really important block for us.

“We planned to be in this position so we planned it as time for us to get there, reset and put a flag in the ground for what we want to achieve over the next month.”

Burgess believes no “drastic injuries” emerged from Sunday’s game at the Totally Wicked Stadium despite second rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon being withdrawn in the second half.

“I’ve not had a sit-down with the medical team, but I think so,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of guys banged up and bruised and we’ve got a six-day turnaround until Catalans away.

“We’ll assess the lads for that but we’ve pulled up alright. There’s no drastic injuries but we’ve got a few guys bruised.”