WIGAN half-back Shaun Edwards is hoping rugby league chiefs will have a rethink over a one-match ban and allow him to continue his proud Silk Cut Challenge Cup run.

The 29-year-old Test captain is the only player to have appeared in every tie during Wigan's staggering 42-match unbeaten sequence in the competition.

But he will miss Sunday's home fourth-round clash with Bramley if the League disciplinary committee today turns down his appeal against the ban. Edwards had been cited by Bradford for two tackles on young Kiwi scrum-half Robbie Paul during Wigan's title-clinching victory at Central Park nine days ago.

As well as the ban, the disciplinary committee fined Edwards £150 for a high tackle deemed reckless and £50 for one described as careless.

Wigan have won the Challenge Cup for the past eight seasons with Edwards having appeared in 10 finals in all and gained nine winners' medals. Meanwhile England centre Barrie-Jon Mather has failed in a High Court bid to gain his release from Wigan.

Lawyers acting for the 22-year-old were trying to free him from his Central Park registration so he could join Australia's Perth Western Reds in March.

The 6ft 7in player, who was placed on the transfer list at £150,000 in November after a bitter contract dispute, walked out claiming they had failed to adhere to the terms of his deal, a charge denied by Wigan.

Meanwhile Andy Farrell has lost his battle of a quick to return to action on Sunday.

The big loose-forward has been on the sidelines since undergoing a hernia operation at Christmas but is bursting to get back into the team. Coach Graeme West has decided not to rush him back and will leave it until the next round before he is considered.

Kelvin Skerrett has recovered from a hip problem while Terry o'Connor has a stomach bug and Henry Paul a dead leg, but the holders will take no chances and field their strongest possible line-up.

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