OLIVER Wilkes believes Barrow Raiders will have a few tricks up their sleeve to surprise Toulouse Olympique with in today’s Kingstone Press League One play-off final.

The Raiders have been beaten twice by Toulouse in the league this season, but head to the Stades des Minimes confident they can overcome Sylvain Houles’ side and seal a return to the Championship.

Few have that belief more so than Barrow skipper Wilkes, who is in no doubt Toulouse will see a different side of the team this time around after feeling the Raiders under-performed in the two previous meetings.

“They know – and they’ve publicly announced it – that we haven’t played to our capabilities when we’ve played them both times,” said Wilkes.

“They’re very nervous; they’ve put a lot of money into the club, all the pressure is on them and there is no pressure on us.

“They’re worried about us clicking and being on form when we play them this time because if we are, they know they won’t be able to beat us.”

Rochdale Hornets’ win away to the French outfit in the title decider two weeks ago has given that optimism a further boost, particularly as Barrow had beaten the Hornets 34-12 in the Super Eights.

Wilkes admitted he had perhaps been expecting a showdown with another English side rather than a return to trip to France should the Raiders reach the play-off final, yet that has not stopped him and his team-mates fully embracing this challenge.

“We weren’t expecting to be playing Toulouse in this game,” said Wilkes. “Rochdale did a number on them, which is all credit to them – as much as I didn’t want them to win!

“Fair play, they went there and put them to the sword, and that was through sheer determination and grit. I think that’s exactly how we’ve got to be; we’ve got to show passion, commitment and work hard for each other. We’ve done a lot of work on the training ground, Paul (Crarey, head coach) has put us through our paces, we’ve haven’t slacked off in any way, shape or form, and we’re all confident that we can go there and do the same as Rochdale.

“I think, on our day, we’re the best team in the competition and we’ve shown that, especially in the second half of the year.”

Having decided to put off retirement for another year, Wilkes is relishing the prospect of being able to lead Barrow in the second tier should they earn promotion today.

And while the 36-year-old prop accepts it will be a huge challenge for the club if they do go up, he wants everyone involved to seize the chance to test themselves at the next level.

“There is a lot of focussed energy because everyone is bouncing and ready to go,” said Wilkes.

“Everybody is ready, they don’t need motivating for this game and they shouldn’t do because of what’s at stake, and we’re really looking forward to it.

“It will be a very difficult challenge next year if we were to go up, but there’s not time like the present to do it. I’m sure the club will invest a bit of money if it’s needed and we’ll take it from there.

“But first things first, get the win at the weekend and enjoy the celebrations afterwards, then worry about next year when pre-season starts in November.”