Griffths will be in charge of North Wales Crusaders when they tackle the Warriors at the DW Stadium in a true David and Goliath fourth-round tie.

However the underdogs will make the short trip to the home of the defending champions having already pulled off one upset - they knocked out Toulouse in the last stage to get the chance to draw out a big team from the hat.

"All my players are really looking forward to it," Griffiths said. "We know we're under the pump and it will be the biggest shock since Titanic sunk if we win.

"If we do sink the Titanic in Wigan on Sunday then we'll have more than done well."

Risen

The Crusaders rose from the ashes of the old Super League club in Wrexham but have won just one of their four outings in Championship 1 this season.

But Griffiths insists the players are not daunted by the task in front of them, and he hopes that they can at least do themselves proud on Sunday.

He added: "It's a fantastic occasion for our lads. It's one of the game's oldest clubs against the newest.

"I said after the Toulouse game that, if they won, then they could rub shoulders with the best in the world and that's now going to happen.

"It doesn't matter what the score is, it's about the occasion and the glamour of the Cup.

"It's like a lower League Two club going to Manchester United - people will be whisking us away in straitjackets if we say we're going to beat Wigan by 20 or 30 points.

"But funny things can happen and, as long as I get a good performance out of my lads, then I'll be satisfied with that."

Respect

Wigan assistant coach Iestyn Harris, who was in charge of the old Crusaders club, insists the holders will not be taking the part-timers lightly.

"Clive Griffiths is doing a great job there," he said. "They are obviously in a lower division than us and that can sometimes make it slightly difficult but we will be making sure we give them the respect they deserve.

"The Crusaders have worked hard to get themselves where they are and we will make sure we are fully professional the way we go about the game.

"They have only been running for six months so it's a big ask for them to come to Wigan but we will be prepared."

The reigning champions are without skipper Sean O'Loughlin and winger Pat Richards due to injury, while Brett Finch, Jeff Lima and Harrison Hansen are rested by head coach Shaun Wane.

Winger Ryan King and prop Dom Crosby are both in line to make their debuts after being included in the 19-man squad. There's also a place for Liam Farrell, who has recovered from a hip problem.