Morley keen to end cup drought

The Warriors have appeared in a record 28 Challenge Cup finals, including 22 at Wembley, and have lifted rugby league's most prestigious silverware an unprecedented 17 times. In sharp contrast, it is 19 years since Warrington's last final appearance and 35 years since they last lifted the trophy.

"It's been that long, I think the spectators have given up hoping we'll get there," said Morley. "It's been too long, certainly between victories and even appearances, 19 years is a long time."

Despite their dismal record, Warrington has been gripped by Cup fever and Morley knows the success-starved fans would travel to Wembley in their thousands if his side could do the business in front of a sell-out crowd at the Stobart Stadium tomorrow.

"It's a massive game," he said. "This is why you play rugby league, to play in these big games. There is only one bigger and that's the final itself.

"It would mean so much to the whole town to get to Wembley, they're rugby league mad in Warrington."

Full-back Richie Mathers and prop Garreth Carvell have recent Cup final experience with Leeds and Hull respectively while Morley played in the last match to be staged at the old Wembley a decade ago and would relish the chance to lead his club out at the renovated stadium.

"I was lucky enough to play at the old Wembley and to lead the boys out at the new one would be a dream come true," he said. "It's such an exciting time, we've got a great opportunity."

The Wolves gained a 16-8 home win over Wigan in Super League in mid-season but the Warriors have won six out of eight matches since then to climb to fifth place in the table and have been made marginal favourites by the bookmakers.

"You would have to say Wigan are the form team," added Morley. "I know they got beaten by Saints at the weekend but it was a game they should have won. They are going very well, as we are, so it's all shaping up to be a great clash."