Rugby Challenge Cup 2013: Analysing Wigan Warriors' X-Factors for Title Win

Shaun Wane will be overjoyed with the fashion in which his Wigan Warriors side advanced to the 2013 Challenge Cup final, swatting London Broncos to the side for the third time this season.

On this occasion, the Warriors won by a margin of 70-0, the largest deficit ever amassed in a Challenge Cup semi-final and an imposing way for the victors to stamp their mark on the competition.

Still in the hunt for Super League silverware, Wigan are the most attractive rugby league side in Europe right now and have all the weapons at their disposal to live up to their "favourites" tag as they head to Wembley.

Set to clash against Super League opposition in their London finale, here’s a closer look at some of the Warriors’ biggest assets this season: players who will play a key role in the squad’s tournament splendour next month.

Sam Tomkins

First and foremost for the competition favourites can be none other than Sam Tomkins, the man whose future at the DW Stadium is looking uncertain at this moment in time.

The 2012 Man of Steel has continued his scoring exploits among rugby league’s elite this term and is again in with a shout for post-season honours, crossing the whitewash another 25 times this Super League campaign.

Tomkins' most recent outing against the Broncos provided a typical try-scoring display from the back, who was quick to show his appreciation on Twitter:

It was in the Challenge Cup five years ago that Tomkins became the first-ever debutant to score five tries, ensuring that this competition bears a particular significance to the full-back.

Pat Richards

While Tomkins might be one of the Wigan assets who ensures things are finished off at the right time, those of the Wigan faithful would agree that for the past seven years, Pat Richards has been the man making sure there’s anything to finish at all.

Whether it’s from the tee, in the form of a drop goal or as an assist, the Australian is a constant stream of ammunition for the Warriors, and he currently stands as leading overall points scorer of the 2013 Super League season.

That being said, Richards still has a penchant to cross the line himself even at the age of 31, as was evidenced in his two-try display against the London Broncos on Saturday

Liam Farrell

A firm possibility for the England squad later on this year, Liam Farrell’s last few seasons in Wigan colours have helped in establishing him as one of the most impressive second-row forwards in rugby league right now.

Having already won the Challenge Cup in 2011, this isn’t Farrell’s first run at the title, and the 23-year-old will be even keener to add to his collection now that he’s more of a prominent figure in Shaun Wane’s setup.

Pitching in with 12 tries this season, Farrell isn’t your typical cumbersome forward and actually offers a more dynamic approach than some might suppose when looking at him.

Josh Charnley

If Sam Tomkins is the sizzle to Wigan’s current star-studded roster, then Josh Charnley is without a doubt the spice that truly makes this one of, if not the most feared rugby league back line in the world.

Averaging more than a try per game in his professional career, the 22-year-old already has a list of accolades to his name including four tries on his England debut and more than 25 tries for his club this season.

As one can see from Charnley’s Try of the Week entry above, if there’s a gap to be found in the opposition back line, he’s the man to expose it for all it’s worth.