Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final: Hull FC v Wigan

Rugby League

Fri August 25, 2017 · 7y ago

Challenge Cup final team news, statistics, kick-off times, TV coverage & odds for Saturday's final.

Date: Saturday August 26
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Wembley
TV coverage: BBC One

Sky Bet odds: Hull 11/10, Wigan 10/11, draw 18/1

Having waited 87 years for their maiden triumph at Wembley, Hull have the chance to go back-to-back for the first time in their history when they take on Sky Bet's marginal favourites Wigan in Saturday's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final.

Coach Lee Radford expressed the hope that his club's long-awaited landmark victory would take the pressure off his players during their trophy defence.

And 11/10 shots Hull have certainly saved their best performances so far this year for the Challenge Cup.

They made a confident start with a 62-0 demolition of an under-strength Catalans Dragons side and went through the gears to dispose of Super League leaders Castleford and 2015 winners Leeds to secure a 17th final appearance.

So ignore the Airlie Birds' 46-18 home defeat by Huddersfield in their latest Super 8s fixture and expect to see the side that played Leeds off the Keepmoat Stadium in last month's semi-final.

Significantly, they were without three of their most influential players against the Giants as Radford played it safe with one eye on Wembley.

Sporting Life columist Ian Millward on how to win the Challenge Cup final

Stand-off Albert Kelly, a 9/1 punt to cross first, will back in harness with scrum-half Marc Sneyd and their partnership has been key to Hull's best performances so far this season while prop Scott Taylor, who has been on the winning side at Wembley for both of Saturday's finalists, will re-inforce a pack that hit new heights against the Rhinos.

Hull will also have the ever-impressive Jamie Shaul at full-back and the support of around 20,000 fans at Wembley, most probably outnumbering their Wigan counterparts by two to one, and they undoubtedly helped get their side over the line at Doncaster.

For all that, 10/11 shots Wigan are strongly fancied, no doubt heavily influenced by their proud record in rugby league's famous knockout competition.

Victorious eight years in a row at the height of their powers from 1988 to 1995, the Warriors will make a record-extending 31st Cup final appearance, aiming to extend their record tally of wins to 20.

Wigan have also won a record 17 out of 24 finals at Wembley, including ones against Hull in 1985 and 2013.

The neutrals will be hoping to witness a repeat of that first encounter, a classic 28-24 tussle, highlighted by the contribution of Australian greats Brett Kenny (Wigan) and Peter Sterling (Hull), rather than the dour 16-0 clash four years ago.

Ian Millward's Challenge Cup final betting tips

If there is a similar outcome on Saturday, it is likely the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match will go to an Englishman, with George Williams, Sam Tomkins, John Bateman and Sean O'Loughlin the men for the Warriors.

It is no coincidence that Wigan have lost just two of their 10 matches since Tomkins, a 2/1 shot to score anytime, and Bateman returned from lengthy injury lay-offs, relieving the pressure on Williams and O'Loughlin, who were largely forced to carry their team between them during their injury-hit first half of the season.

Hull will take confidence from victories over their opponents in both Super League meetings this year but against an improving Wigan side, Saturday's final could be just too close to call.

Challenge Cup final: Probably line-ups

Hull: J Shaul; M Fonua, C Tuimavave, J Griffin, F Talanoa; A Kelly, D Houghton, L Watts, S Manu, M Minichiello, G Ellis (capt). Subs: J Connor, C Green, D Washbrook, J Bowden.

Wigan: S Tomkins; T Davies, A Gelling, O Gildart, J Burgess; G Williams, T Leuluai; F P Nuuausala, M McIlorum, T Clubb, J Bateman, L Farrell, S O'Loughlin (capt). Subs: S Powell, R Sutton, T Tautai, W Isa.

How they reached Wembley

HULL FC

Round six: Hull FC 62 Catalans Dragons 0 (Tries: Michaels 3, Griffin, Fonua, Watts, Taylor, Turgut, Thompson, Shaul 2, Connor; Goals: Sneyd 2, Connor 5)

Quarter-final: Hull FC 32 Castleford 24 (Tries: Tuimavave, Talanoa, Fonua, Shaul; Goals: Connor 8)

Semi-final: Hull FC 43 Leeds 24 (Tries: Kelly, Tuimavave 2, Green, Watts, Shaul, Taylor; Goals: Sneyd 7; Field goal: Sneyd)

WIGAN

Round six: Swinton 12 Wigan 42 (Tries: J Tomkins, Farrell, Burgess 2, Marshall, Davies, Ganson, Gregson; Goals: Marshall 5)

Quarter-final: Warrington 26 Wigan 27 (Tries: Burgess 2, Marshall, Bateman; Goals: Williams 5; Field goal: S Tomkins)

Semi-final: Salford 14 Wigan 27 (Tries: Gildart 2, Isa, McIlorum; Goals: Williams 5; Field goal: S Tomkins)