Tassell warms to being Swinton's Mr Cool

When Swinton enter the lions' den to take on Wigan this afternoon, they have at least one player who knows what it is like to face overwhelming odds and emerge with credit.

The Australian-born centre Kris Tassell was part of the Welsh team who gave the Kangaroos the fright of their lives in the semi-finals of the 2000 World Cup, and knows that it will take a similar level of commitment to emerge from today's Powergen Challenge Cup quarter-final with heads held high.

"Australia weren't properly switched on and we played the game of our lives," he recalls. "It shows what can be done in games like this."

In a young Swinton squad, Tassell is the man with the most Super League experience, but he was ready to turn his back on the game when he was released by Wakefield at the end of last season. "It left a sour taste in the mouth and I was all set to go to rugby union, with Rugby or Ebbw Vale. But Peter Roe persuaded me to have another go."

Roe had been Tassell's coach at Wakefield, and his move down the divisions to Swinton was a deciding factor in Tassell's change of plan. Apart from lending his experience on the field, Tassell also works in the club shop and in the community development programme, where he has seen more than most of the buzz created by Swinton's first quarter-final appearance since 1972.

In spite of the tie being switched to Wigan's JJB Stadium, today is a rare chance to celebrate for Swinton's long-suffering fans. Tassell says the players are equally excited. "We've nothing to lose, every- thing to gain. We've got quite serious about it this week, because we know we're trying to create the upset of the century. I've been able to pass on a little bit. I've beentelling the guys not to get overexcited. That's the biggest danger."

Tassell injured his shoulder in the fifth-round win over Featherstone and missed last weekend's trip to Whitehaven, but is confident he will be fit. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. In terms of being an underdog, this ranks right up there with playing for Wales against Australia," he says. Wales did not win that match, of course, but a similarly defiant performance today would probably be enough for Swinton and their supporters.

The same applies to Tassell's first English club, Salford, who play St Helens. Here again, he believes the minnows can give a good account of themselves. "They've turned things around. Saints had better be on top of their game."