JON Wilkin says the Challenge Cup is steeped in history and tradition and he can’t wait to savour more of it this Saturday.
Saints take on Leeds at Headingley with a Quarter Final spot in the Tetley’s Challenge Cup at stake.
“I think the draw is great, it’s a good one,” he said. “It is a big visible moment on TV for the brand of St Helens. We are a successful club, known nationally, and it will be in front of the big TV audience. These are the games we want to play in.
“I’d rather play Leeds in a big game rather than a lesser opposition and gliding through. We had to beat all the top four or five teams in 2004 to win it and I thought that was always how you had to do it.
“The Cup has something no other competition it has. It has history and tradition. When you play in it you tread a path so many great players have done before. The Grand Final doesn’t have that.
“Six years is too long to wait for success. At Saints we have ambitions to win something every year. We haven’t been miles off, but being close isn’t good enough. It would be a good year to go and do that. The squad here is good and two losses over Easter doesn’t change that.”
Wilkin was suspended when Saints beat Leeds 14-10 earlier this season but says this Saturday’s game will be a completely different story.
“We played well last time and the young guys did really well. Leeds were conservative though and I know what Leeds are like in big games. We need to be ready for that.”
Ticket details for the tie can be found here.
