With the highly-anticipated Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals taking place at the weekend, we take a look at four player head-to-heads to watch out for.
Mikey Lewis v Lachlan Lam (Hull KR v Leigh Leopards)
Two of Super League’s magical playmakers will face off in their quarter-final tie, in what will be a rematch of last year’s epic Challenge Cup Final.
Mikey Lewis of Hull KR, recently renowned for creating moments of magic, will go head-to-head with Leigh Leopards’ Lachlan Lam – an individual who became the cult hero of the town in 2023.
Last year’s Challenge Cup Final was unforgettable to say to the least – Lam’s last-gasp drop goal sealing the win for the Leopards in dramatic fashion, as his team emotionally lifted the trophy for the first time in 52 years.
Having met in the final last year, both players should already know what to expect of one another, but as anything can happen in the Challenge Cup competition, neither should act complacent.
In 2024 so far, the ever-present Lewis has averaged a try assist a game in Super League, ran for 940 metres, and made a total of 34 tackle breaks, as well as having scored three solo tries.
With a consistent and splendid attacking display, Lewis could cause all of sorts of problems for Leigh on Saturday – if allowed to run free and create space for both himself and his team-mates.
In comparison, Lam, who has featured in five competitive matches this year, has been a lot quieter in the opening rounds of the new campaign. He has provided just two try assists so far, with his new half-back partner Matt Moylan leading the way with six try assists - although the Leopards are yet to find their form where Super League is concerned.
Nobody should underestimate Lam’s abilities, however – the 26-year-old became a notable figure in 2023 for his creative masterclasses and fancy show and go, earning himself a place in the Super League Dream Team alongside four of his Leopards team-mates, and of course famed for the Wembley match-winner.
And there’s nothing like the opportunity of a cup tie to step up both an individual performance, as well as a collective team performance. Could this Challenge Cup tie be the one where Lam looks to recreate the magic?
Hull KR and Leigh are yet to meet each other in 2024, and although Willie Peters’ men look to be clear favourites based on recent results, form usually goes out of the window in knockout rugby league.
The stakes will be high as Leigh Leopards will not want to give up their title so easily, whereas Hull KR will be seeking retribution for the Wembley heart-break caused.
Fans should therefore expect both Lewis and Lam to raise their game in this final rematch showdown – a quarter-final cup clash that promises to boast quality and entertainment.
Daryl Clark v Danny Walker (St Helens v Warrington Wolves)
Two former team-mates will go head-to-head on Sunday - both established number 9s for their teams.
And England team-mates in the Tonga series last year, Daryl Clark and Danny Walker will be no strangers to one another.
They spent a number of years together at Warrington, and in fact both featured in the Wolves' 2020 Challenge Cup quarter-final win against St Helens – the last cup meeting between the two sides.
But Clark will be on the opposite team this time around, with Danny Walker taking the number 9 jersey at Warrington for 2024, following Clark’s switch to go and play in the Red V.
It will be Clark’s first time facing his former club as St Helens welcome Warrington to the Totally Wicked Stadium, but he’s a man who certainly knows his way to Wembley and will be aiming to reach big stage once again.
Having featured in four Challenge Cup Finals throughout his career, Clark has vital experience under his belt and is aware of the special occasion awaiting two teams.
His first Challenge Cup victory came in 2019 with the Warrington club, in which he scored the match-winner with just minutes remaining on the clock and was deservedly awarded The Lance Todd Trophy for a magnificent performance.
Walker, on the other hand, witnessed this win from the touch-line, before running on the pitch to congratulate Clark and his team-mates, and memorably tipping an ice bucket over Steve Price’s head in celebration!
Yet to play at Wembley, Walker will be more determined than ever to achieve this dream and move one step closer on Sunday.
As Clark has seemingly settled in at St Helens, Walker has also thrived in his role of first choice hooker – he is currently the Wolves’ top tackler in 2024, demonstrating his strong work ethic and willingness to put his body on the line.
Both are in the top five for the most metres from dummy half, and can pose a significant threat to their opposition from this position. And come Sunday they will have to continue to be at their best, as the hookers will battle it out for a desired semi-final spot.
Who will come out on top?
Tom Davies v Adam Swift (Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants)
Who will have the need for speed on Saturday when two in-form wingers will be looking to score the points out-wide and edge their teams ever closer to Wembley?
Adam Swift currently tops the Super League try-scoring chart with eight tries in seven rounds, whereas Tom Davies has three to his name.
But both are averaging around a staggering 180 metres a match and enjoyed a field day in their previous Challenge Cup outings.
The Sixth Round saw the two wingers at their very best – Davies with a first half hat-trick against Halifax Panthers, whilst Swift had a superb day out against his former club Hull FC, bagging four tries as their sides eased through to the quarter-finals.
With pace to burn, both Davies and Swift have the ability to cause great damage to their opposition when they have the ball in hand and space to race away.
Neither have appeared in a Challenge Cup Final to date, but who will provide the points to take their team within one game of Wembley?
Innes Senior v Abbas Miski (Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors)
There’s another head-to-head of the wingers in Sunday’s second quarter-final tie, as Castleford Tigers take on Wigan Warriors on home soil.
Speedy Innes Senior has seven league tries under his belt – four of which came from Round 7, in Castleford’s first league win of the season. He also scored two tries against Batley Bulldogs in the Challenge Cup Sixth Round.
The Tigers have proved their left edge can dangerous when Senior finds the space, although he’ll be going up against last year’s joint top try-scorer in Abbas Miski.
The Wigan flier racked up 28 tries in 2023’s regular season and became hot property in a successful Warriors side. He recently scored a try in Wigan's World Club Challenge victory against Penrith Panthers, highlighting that if he can score against the best in the NRL, then he could score against anyone.
Wigan might have dominated in Super League last year, but Miski is yet to feature at Wembley or play in a Challenge Cup Final - despite being at Wigan when they won the Challenge Cup in 2022.
The 2022 Challenge Cup Final also happened to be Senior’s first ever major final, but he would devastatingly taste defeat as part of the Huddersfield side.
With a first ever Wembley appearance on the line, which winger will rack up the points to progress to a place in the semis?
Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-final ties:
Hull KR v Leigh Leopards – Saturday 13 April, 5pm (BBC2)
Catalans Dragons v Huddersfield Giants – Saturday 13 April, 7pm
Castleford Tigers v Wigan Warriors – Sunday 14 April, 3pm
St Helens v Warrington Wolves – Sunday 14 April, 4.30pm (BBC2)
A full Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals Preview can be found here.
The Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final (KO 3pm) 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 (KO 11.45am) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am. Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available.
