With Round One of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup almost upon us, we take a look at players and former Betfred Super League stars, who could be set to make their debuts in the 1895 Cup competition this year.
There are many notable names and recognisable faces who will play in the Betfred Championship competition for 2024, and as a league that has only been growing stronger over recent years – could we see one of the most exciting and competitive seasons yet?
Richie Myler
Myler, an expansive and versatile playmaker, is no stranger when it comes to competing in finals and has matured into a general in the halves over the years.
He is bound to cause all sorts of problems for teams in the Championship, as his leadership and ability to organise a team and create chances for players on the outside have been integral to a string of decisive wins over the years.
Featuring in numerous Challenge Cup and Super League Grand Finals over two decades, Myler’s most memorable Wembley appearances could be his 2012 Challenge Cup Final win with Warrington, as well as the 2020 Challenge Cup victory with Leeds - where he was awarded the Lance Todd Trophy for an impressive performance at full-back.
It will be exciting to see what Myler can bring to York Knights, both in the 1895 Cup and the Championship competition, as he makes the move across Yorkshire after six years at Leeds Rhinos, and is only two appearances away from the 400 milestone.
Gareth Widdop
Current 1895 Cup holders Halifax Panthers have added two high-profile recruits to their side ahead of the 2024 campaign, and one of them includes the former NRL Champion and England star, Gareth Widdop.
Widdop joins his hometown club for the 2024 season and will bring a wealth of experience with him, having spent the majority of his career in the NRL, with Melbourne Storm and St George Illawarra respectively. He returned to England following an illustrious career down under and has most recently represented Warrington Wolves and Castleford Tigers in the Super League, but has openly admitted his dream was to finish his playing career for his boyhood club.
Under new Head Coach Liam Finn, Widdop will be afforded the freedom to play off-the-cuff rugby league and take on opposition defences with his devastating running game – play which fans can look forward to witnessing over the upcoming months.
Can Widdop light up the Betfred Championship in 2024?
Greg Eden
A former Betfred Super League speedster, Greg Eden also enjoyed a short stint in the NRL for Brisbane Broncos.
But arguably, Eden’s best years were in Castleford colours, where the winger impressively topped the try scoring charts with a staggering 38 tries, earned himself a place in the Super League Dream Team and played at full-back in the Tigers’ maiden Grand Final – all in the Castleford’s memorable 2017 season.
Eden has the ability to cause great damage to his opponents in 2024. His fiery pace, sleek ball skill and ability to score points out on the edge could really heat up the second tier this year.
And although Greg Eden is yet to experience victory at Wembley, he recognises the importance of the winning moment and is hopeful Halifax can return there for the second year running:
“For me personally, it would be nice to walk out at Wembley and win," Eden said.
“We (Halifax) have spoken about wanting to back it up and that’s a goal of ours. We’ve improved our squad from last year so it’s doable.”
But Eden is also well aware of how hard the league is going to be this year:
“There’s quite a few players dropping down (from Super League) and I think that’s strengthened the Championship massively, so it’s going to be tough.”
With the services of Widdop, Eden and the team combined, will Halifax return to Wembley in 2024?
Ben Reynolds
If there’s one player who knows about the feelings of a Wembley win – it’s former Leigh Leopard Ben Reynolds, who played a key role in Leigh’s dramatic and exhilarating Challenge Cup Final win last August. As goal-kicker for the side, Reynolds would significantly contribute to their magical victory, becoming a part of history – as the Leopards remarkably went from 1895 Cup Winners in 2022 to Challenge Cup Winners in 2023.
Reynolds also featured in this 2022 1895 Cup Final win over Featherstone, scoring a crucial try in which Leigh would produce a dominant 30-16 display.
Now a proud captain of his hometown club, the number 6 is hoping to lead and inspire his younger team-mates, but also acknowledges the competitiveness of the Betfred Championship and the tough race ahead to reach the legendary Wembley:
“It’s an amazing feeling. I played in the 1895 Cup Final at Tottenham, too. We’ll be ready to go.
“I’ll pass on my past experience, as winning there is something I’d love to do again.”
Will Reynolds guide the Rovers to their third AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, which would also be Reynolds' third consecutive Wembley appearance?
Reece Lyne
Doncaster have secured the services of a reliable Reece Lyne for the 2024 season after undergoing a heavy recruitment drive in the off-season.
Lyne made over 200 appearances for Wakefield Trinity between 2013 and 2023. Consistent and quick, the centre could prove to be a valuable asset for the promoted Dons, as he links up with former team-mates Craig Hall and Pauli Pauli.
Unlike most of the other 1895 Cup debutants, Lyne is yet to experience the feeling of a Challenge Cup Final or a Grand Final; the closest he came to this was perhaps Wakefield’s 2016 Challenge Cup semi-final against Warrington, in which they were heavily defeated.
But Lyne can bring another kind of crucial experience to his new side, having played in finals at the opposite end of the table.
Well-equipped on how to survive, Lyne has played pivotal roles in helping to save Wakefield Trinity from relegation over the years – most notably in 2015's Million Pound Game against Bradford and in the final round against London Broncos in 2019. It was a step too far in 2023 when Wakefield would finally succumb to the relegation drop, but this was not without a spirited resurgence from Lyne and his former team-mates until the very end.
The fight and belief Lyne can offer will therefore be vital in ensuring the Dons enjoy a successful 1895 Cup run and Championship season as the newly-promoted side.
Jay Pitts
Pitts is a player who wears his heart on his sleeve out on the rugby league field, and will be ready to right the wrongs of last year when he was a part of a relegated Wakefield Trinity side – ending their 24-year stay in Super League.
But Pitts was one of their best performers in 2023, and remained a loyal servant to his hometown club by signing a contract extension to keep him there in 2024. His continuing grit and determination could prove extremely valuable for Wakefield, as they not only aim to bounce back at the first attempt, but have firm eyes on building a successful team - and one that is capable of contesting for the silverware on offer.
This includes the targeting of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup trophy, where Wakefield haven’t made a Wembley appearance since their 12-3 loss in 1979 to Widnes.
“It’s massive,” Pitts explained. “We’re like everybody else where we want to the lift the trophy and we want to go to Wembley.
“The club deserves to get back to Wembley – it’s got some rich history there.
“There’s not many opportunities you get to play at Wembley, it would be amazing, and we’ll be working hard to make sure we get there.”
Jermaine McGillivary
Former Huddersfield Giants veteran and England international McGillvary will also compete in the Championship for Wakefield Trinity, as they begin their 1895 Cup mission against York Knights next weekend.
Sixteen years with the Giants, McGillivary has become a stalwart winger in the Betfred Super League, racking up well over 200 tries and making a notable name for himself in Rugby League. And he is set to entertain the Championship with his try-scoring exploits in 2024, doing what he does best.
McGillvary hasn’t been so lucky at Wembley however, suffering a devastating 2022 Challenge Cup Final loss, when Wigan clinched a narrow win in the dying minutes.
Alongside his Wakefield Trinity team-mates, McGillvary and the majority of the side will be participating the 1895 Cup competition for the first time, so will be raring to go as they have their eyes firmly on the prize.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing in the Betfred Championship and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup in 2024?
Information and kick-off times regarding the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup fixtures can be found in the Rugby League Match Centre.
The AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup and Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final. Tickets are available online now from only £15 Adults and £7.50 Under 16s, with family packages also available starting from just £18.75 for one Adult and two Under 16s.
