The Rovers boss is expecting a stern test against a side whose rapid rise through the divisions has captured the attention of the football world.

Wrexham's climb under Phil Parkinson has been one of the game's most remarkable success stories, and Mowbray believes the former Bolton Wanderers boss deserves huge credit for turning the Welsh club into genuine Championship contenders.

But in approaching the game, Mowbray insists his team must focus on imposing their own strengths rather than simply reacting to the visitors.

"It's a big challenge this weekend," he said.

"They're another team who have spent a fair few quid on their team over a few years and have been building it. I think Phil Parkinson deserves huge credit for what he's achieved with that football club. He's had three promotions.

"This league is obviously a very, very difficult league to get out of. However much money they've spent, other teams will have bigger, better, more ready squads to deal with the number of games and the types of football that you have to play to get victories in those games.

"But it's another big challenge for us this weekend."

(Image: Blackburn Rovers)

While respectful of the threat Wrexham possess, Mowbray believes Blackburn have already shown they are capable of matching the division's strongest teams when operating at their highest level.

Victories over Middlesbrough and Cardiff City remain reference points for the Blackburn manager, who wants to see a repeat of those high-energy displays.

"We've done all right in the home games and this is just another opportunity against a team who'll come and think that they can get something. But we have to find the intensity and the quality that we've found over the games where we've beaten some really good teams like Middlesbrough, like Cardiff the other week, who were really good with the ball.

"It's a different challenge with Wrexham. They've got some really experienced, knowledgeable footballers who know about the division and we will be giving it our very best to get the fans out of their seats and hopefully have some goals to celebrate."

A key feature of Parkinson's success has been his side's well-established tactical identity, with Wrexham continuing to thrive using a back-three system and a physically imposing style.

Mowbray acknowledges the challenge that poses but insists his philosophy will not change.

"It's not just about them; it's about lots of things, whether we're playing at home, whether we're playing away from home, how much pressure we can get on the ball or do we want to keep it solid?" he explained.

"My mentality is never to just keep clean sheets. It's always been to score one more goal than the opposition. So we'll be positive and going to attack the game.

"Whether we can deal with their physicality and their experience is another question, of course. We'll be giving ourselves the best chance to try and impose our strengths on them, but knowing that we have to deal with what they produce.

"It's why I think it will be an interesting game, they've got lots of positive aspects to their game, but I think at our best we can give anybody a good game of football and that's what we'll be striving to do, trying to get back to playing the game at our best; we can dominate the ball and create lots of chances, and that's what we'll be trying to do this weekend."

Despite the global spotlight generated by Wrexham's celebrity ownership, it is Parkinson's work in the dugout that has impressed Mowbray most.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. (Image: PA)

"I know the manager from 20-odd years ago, we've both been managing a long time," he said. "He's a great fella and I wish him well after the weekend."

"There's a big of pressure, if you've got high-profile owners, the camera and the spotlight will be on the team a lot, I would imagine."

Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have reiterated their ambition for Wrexham to complete their journey from National League to Premier League by winning the Championship.

Having just missed out on a play-off place last season, Mowbray feels that is something they can achieve in 2026/27.

"I think definitely," he said. "Their expectation would be that as well.

"I do look at their squad; there's a lot of experience there, a lot of players who know this league. Phil Parkinson is a very experienced football manager and he's got them in a good place.

"They've obviously got some big, strong boys in their team, experienced boys. So we're very mindful of that and of the team that we pick. But hopefully the best parts of our game and our identity will shine through."