Warrington wake up to reality after Wembley win

It is one of the perennial questions of the season. How will the two Challenge Cup finalists respond the following week?

Warrington celebrated victory long and hard before getting back to business and their resolve will be severely tested at Hull KR this afternoon.

The Wolves still need points if they are to end a memorable season with a stab at the Super League play-offs. For their trip to Rovers, who are already sure of a top-four finish, Warrington are missing Matt King from their Wembley side.

Defeated Huddersfield have what looks like the more comfortable task, away to the disarray that is Celtic Crusaders. The Giants have had better news this week about Kevin Brown, whose knee injury at Wembley so damaged their cup final prospects. It was feared Brown would need a complete knee reconstruction, keeping him out for the best part of a year, but the damage is less serious than that and he could be fit for the start of next season.

Nathan Brown, the Huddersfield coach, who has secured the services of Brad Drew for next season, will give a game to a number of players who missed out on the final in the last Crusaders game to be played at Bridgend. The Welsh club will be based at Newport next season.

Wakefield go to France today to face a Catalan Dragons side scrapping for a place in the top eight. Wakefield have Danny Brough back from suspension and Jason Demetriou recovered from a virus.

Harlequins could climb above Castleford in the scramble for top-eight places, if they beat them at The Stoop tomorrow. Bradford, still clinging to their mathematical chance if others slip up, are at home to Salford.

Tomorrow also sees the last act of the drama at the bottom of the Co-operative Championship.Leigh, who are bringing Ian Millward back as coach next season, will drop into the third tier if Gateshead lose to the already relegated Doncaster and they fail to get a better result than Batley.

Australia have agreed to put the Ashes at stake in a single match when they play England in the Four Nations at Wigan on 31 October.