English Super League Challenge Cup Final 2026

[moto748]

A chance for Wigan to put Hull KR back in their box after disappointments of last season. A flurry of "Will Bevan French play" talk; he's been out for 12 weeks with a hamstring, surely cannot be match-fit, and it promises to be a hot, sunny day in London tomorrow. Is it worth a place on the bench to maybe give the best player in the comp twenty minutes? He is in the 21 man squad, but will he make the 17? I'd like to think we can do it without him, and make sure he's right for the run-up to the play-offs. No through trains to London available from Wigan this weekend (normally it's a good service), which put me off going. Plus, Wembley is a bit of a dump.

 

[moto748]

Hull KR put back in the their box; two excellent wins, with Wigan Women also thrashing St Helens in their CCF earlier. And it's the same across both games; Wigan are the pipe-line producing the young talent that the sport relies on. That's why a young lad like Jack Farrimond (20) can find himself playing in a CCF at Wembley, and winning the Lance Todd Trophy. That's putting yourself in the company of some of the all-time greats: what a moment for him!

 

[moto748]

I will only add this: 8 of the Wigan starters were products of the Wigan Academy, plus Ethan Havard, arguably the best prop in the comp, on the bench. Plus three starters for HKR; Davies, Gildart, and Burgess. Other clubs leach off Wigan (and Saints, and Leeds), rather than bother to bring through their own young talent, and the ridiculously low salary cap continues to penalise the successful clubs.