The Liam Farrell column: '˜Charnley should get a great DW reception'

They embarrassed us in the Challenge Cup game, which they won 23-0. If anything, that game was a painful reminder of what they are capable of if we don’t turn up.

We’re both travelling pretty well and I honestly think this is shaping as a great contest between us.

Even though they have changed coaches and a few players, they have kept one thing the same and that is their quick rucks. If you don’t do a job and control that area, they have players like Daryl Clark and Stefan Ratchford to burn out.

Ben Westwood will surely be looking for a big game in his 500th career match, which is a great milestone – he’s one of the toughest players I’ve faced, in the sense that he never takes a backward step.

They also have Josh Charnley, who has played us twice already but will be returning to the DW for the first time.

What reception will he get? I think a very good one. He did some great things for Wigan. Here’s hoping it won’t be a happy return for him.

We had a team meal out to The Raj, in Springfield, on Monday night.

Which by chance was also my birthday – I knew the lads would try and stitch me up, and I wasn’t let down. They even brought a cake out. Thanks to staff at The Raj, though, for really looking after us.

It’ll be great to see Anthony Gelling back over here next year.

It’s a bit disappointing he’s returning to Widnes, rather than Wigan – he’s a great signing for them.

He did some good things for our club and on his day was one of the best centres in Super League.

People see the joker side of him – and it’s good to have characters like him – but they probably didn’t realise how hard he worked. In pre-season, he would often be among the fittest in the group. Welcome back!

The big news this week was Leeds’ decision to sack Brian McDermott. I didn’t see that coming.

Leeds are a big club and they obviously feel a fresh face is needed to get them back up challenging in the top four. But they have done it tough lately with injuries and for a coach who has had so much success, I thought it was a bit disappointing to see him go out like that.

‘It’s coming home, it’s coming home...’

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard that this week! I must admit, after the penalty shoot-out against Colombia on Tuesday night, I did start believing it might just be possible. They’ve done really well and the run to the final doesn’t look daunting. Hopefully they get the job done against Sweden on Saturday.