Hull KR and Leigh Leopards will walk-out at Wembley on Saturday afternoon in search of their first Challenge Cup success in this millennium.
The Final will be played between two teams who have not been regulars at finals. It will be the first Challenge Cup Final since 1986 which does not feature one of Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves or St Helens.
The Robins tasted glory in 1980 when defeating cross city rivals, Hull FC, 10-5. Meanwhile Leigh, guided by Alex Murphy, reigned supreme in 1971.
This will be Hull KR’s second visit to ‘new’ Wembley, with the previous coming in 2015. Current Rovers winger, Ryan Hall featured for the Rhinos on that afternoon. That victory for Hall was his second of his career, as he was part of the side, who defeated Castleford the year prior, and he received the Lance Todd Trophy.
Hull KR started their 2023 Challenge Cup journey at home to Batley Bulldogs, who will also feature at Wembley this Saturday in the 1895 Cup Final. Willie Peters’ side put a professional display as they ran out 50-0 victors.
In the Quarter-Finals, the Robins played host again as they welcomed fellow Super League side, Salford Red Devils, in-front of the Viaplay Sport cameras.
The East Yorkshire side dominated much of the contest, taking a commanding 18-0 advantage into the interval.
Captain Shaun Kenny-Dowell was among the scorers, along with Hall, Kane Linnett, Dean Hadley and Tanguy Zenon during their 28-10 success over Salford.
The Robins travelled to Headingley to face Wigan Warriors in the Semi-Final.
Despite the Warriors early pressure, Louis Senior opened the scoring for Peters side.
Jai Field burst through the Hull KR’s defence, however, they were able to respond later in the contest.
With the scores locked together at 10-10, the semi headed to golden point. New signing, Brad Schneider, produced the drop-goal in just his third appearance for the club, which booked their place at Wembley.
The Robins rested many players last weekend, therefore it is a new look side from the one which face Wigan Warriors.
Influential, Jordan Abdul still remains on the sidelines due to injury. However, Rowan Milnes, Mikey Lewis and Brad Schneider call all fill in that key position in the halves.
Ryan Hall missed the previous round victory due to injury, he is named in the 21-man squad.
Leigh Leopards will make history on Saturday afternoon as they will be the first side to feature in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup and Betfred Challenge Cup.
The Leopards defeated Featherstone last season, with Adrian Lam’s side reigning supreme at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Leigh are unbeaten in Challenge Cup Finals, Alex Murphy, then player-coach lifted the trophy in 1971, this coming 50 years after their first Challenge Cup success with a 13-0 victory over Halifax at Wheater’s Field in Broughton in 1921.
The Leopards got their 2023 Challenge Cup campaign underway with a trip to Wakefield. The visitors proved far too strong with Leigh scoring seven tries which included a braces from Tom Briscoe and Kai O’Donnell.
Leigh once again were drawn away, with a trip to the LNER Community Stadium to face Betfred Championship side, York Knights.
The contest was far from straightforward. O’Donnell received a red card and the Knights led for much of the contest.
The quality and fitness of the Super League side proved too much, as they took the lead and control of the contest in the final quarter. Tom Briscoe for the second round running scored a brace, along with fellow winger Josh Charnley.
In the Semi-Final, Leigh faced the current Super League champions, St Helens.
Joey Lussick opened the scoring for the Saints. In the first half, Leigh held firm defensively and would have been happy to go into half-time 6-0 down after a lot of sustained pressure from Paul Wellens’ side.
The Leopards came out firing with Oli Holmes going over just three minutes into the second 40.
Zak Hardaker’s try put Leigh ahead for the first time and despite a late Jonny Lomax score, Leigh held on to book their place in a Challenge Cup Final for the first time in 52 years.
The Leopards fielded a strong side last week during their victory over Leeds Rhinos. Oliver Gildart drops out the side due to his unavailable after joining late, however, Zak Hardaker is expected to start again after being rested last weekend.
Hull KR squad: Ethan Ryan, Tom Opacic, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Ryan Hall, Matt Parcell, George King, Kane Linnett, Eliot Minchella, Jez Litten, Rhys Kennedy, James Batchelor, Matty Storton, Jimmy Keinhorst, Mikey Lewis, Rowan Milnes, Dean Hadley, Louis Senior, Luis Johnson, Sam Luckley, Yusuf Aydin, Brad Schneider
Leigh Leopard squad: Zak Hardaker, Tom Briscoe, Ed Chamberlain, Josh Charnley, Joe Mellor, Lachlan Lam, Tom Amone, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Joe Wardle, Jack Hughes, John Asiata, Ben Nakubuwai, Ben Reynolds, Oliver Holmes, Gareth O'Brien, Matt Davis, Kai O'Donnell, Nathan Wilde, Ava Seumanufagai
The game will take place and 3PM on Saturday afternoon at Wembley Stadium. Tickets are available here!
The contest will be shown live on BBC One as well.
