Saints face Castleford Tigers at Wembley in the Betfred Challenge Cup Final on Saturday (3pm) hoping to bring that famous trophy home.
BACKGROUND…
St. Helens will look to lift the Challenge Cup for the 13th time as we take on a Castleford Tigers side that have not lifted the trophy since 1986. Saints rank as the Challenge Cup’s third most successful side with 12 titles to their name, but we haven’t lifted the trophy since 2008.
Kristian Woolf’s men booked their place in the final after wins against Leeds Rhinos, Huddersfield Giants and lately Hull FC in the semi-finals. We will look to go one better than our 2019 defeat by walking out of Wembley victorious.
Castleford do have previous experience of winning this title but haven’t finished on top since 1986. They did make it to the final in 2014 but fell short of taking the title, losing 23-10 to Leeds Rhinos.
Daryl Powell’s men’s route to the Final was a little less straight forward after a nerve-racking 33-32 win over Hull KR before another one point win over Salford (19-18), but Cas were then convincing 35-20 winners over Warrington in their semi-final.
Who will come out on top on Saturday?
HISTORY
Castleford Tigers – Previous Challenge Cup Finals:
2014 Lost (v Leeds, 23-10) (at Wembley Stadium)
1992 Lost (v Wigan, 28-12) (at Wembley Stadium)
1986 Won (v Hull KR, 15-14) (at Wembley Stadium)
1970 Won (v Wigan, 7-2) (at Wembley Stadium)
1969 Won (v Salford, 11-6) (at Wembley Stadium)
1935 Won (v Huddersfield, 11-8) (at Wembley Stadium)
St Helens – Previous Challenge Cup Finals:
2019 Lost (v Warrington, 18-4) (at Wembley Stadium)
2008 Won (v Hull FC, 28-16) (at Wembley Stadium)
2007 Won (v Catalans, 30-8) (at Wembley Stadium)
2006 Won (v Huddersfield, 42-12) (at Twickenham)
2004 Won (v Wigan, 32-16) (at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff)
2002 Lost (v Wigan, 21-12) (at Murrayfield, Edinburgh)
2001 Won (v Bradford, 13-6) (at Twickenham)
1997 Won (v Bradford, 32-22) (at Wembley Stadium)
1996 Won (v Bradford, 40-32) (at Wembley Stadium)
1991 Lost (v Wigan, 13-8) (at Wembley Stadium)
1989 Lost (v Wigan, 27-0) (at Wembley Stadium)
1987 Lost (v Halifax, 19-18) (at Wembley Stadium)
1978 Lost (v Leeds, 14-12) (at Wembley Stadium)
1976 Won (v Widnes, 20-5) (at Wembley Stadium)
1972 Won (v Leeds, 16-13) (at Wembley Stadium)
1966 Won (v Wigan, 21-2) (at Wembley Stadium)
1961 Won (v Wigan, 12-6) (at Wembley Stadium)
1956 Won (v Halifax, 13-2) (at Wembley Stadium)
1953 Lost (v Huddersfield, 15-10) (at Wembley Stadium)
1930 Lost (v Widnes, 10-3) (at Wembley Stadium)
1915 Lost (v Huddersfield, 37-3) (at Watersheddings, Oldham)
1897 Lost (v Batley, 10-3) (at Headingley, Leeds)
Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
2018 (Round 6) Castleford 18 St Helens 36
2017 (Round 6) Castleford 53 St Helens 10
1996 (Round 4) Castleford 16 St Helens 58
1990 (Preliminary Round) St Helens 39 Castleford 12
1979 (Quarter Final) Castleford 6 St Helens 10
1970 (Semi-Final) Castleford 6 St Helens 3
1965 (Round 1) St Helens 22 Castleford 9
1964 (Round 1) St Helens 6 Castleford 13
1961 (Round 2) Castleford 10 St Helens 18
1956 (Round 2) St Helens 48 Castleford 5
1946 (Round 1, Second Leg) St Helens 14 Castleford 5
1946 (Round 1, First Leg) Castleford 10 St Helens 4
1941 (Round 2) Castleford 21 St Helens 13
1938 (Round 2) Castleford 18 St Helens 2
1931 (Round 2) Castleford 2 St Helens 8
21 MAN SQUADS
COACH AND PLAYER PREVIEWS
Head over to Saints TV to hear from Kristian Woolf ahead of the game as well as Captain James Roby who admits he will cherish the Final knowing it could be one of his last ever appearances at Wembley.
Paul Wellens also chatted to the media on arrival at the team hotel on Thursday evening. You can watch that here.
Morgan Knowles says the boys are ready after a Captain’s Run on the Wembley field on Friday afternoon. Hear from him here.
🗣 “It’s a great stadium and it has a real atmosphere even without fans, but we can’t wait to have people in here tomorrow!” 🙌
The boss on Wembley and Captains Run….#COYS pic.twitter.com/vGwONGeHsb
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 16, 2021
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Liam Moore will be the referee and Chris Kendall has been appointed video referee.
KIT?
Saints are the away team, but we will play in our traditional red and white kit.
TICKET INFO AND COACH TRAVEL
Please read this essential ticket information from the RFL.
Supporters coaches will leave the Totally Wicked Stadium at 7am. All supporters must report back to their coaches at Wembley by 6pm. Anyone who does not return to the coach by this time will risk missing their departure back to the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Fans can also get tested in the build up to Wembley. Click here to read more.
WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?
BAFTA award-winning singer-songwriter Sabrina Washington will sing the National Anthem live at Wembley Stadium, before our St Helens Women’s team parade their Women’s Challenge Cup trophy at half-time!
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE GAME?
The game is live on BBC One from 2pm with the game kicking off at 3pm.
Supporters can also follow the game on our official Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts as well as on our Live Match Centre.
Reaction will follow the Full-Time whistle on our website and social media channels whilst the highlights and the full 80 minute replay will be on Saints TV shortly after for subscribers.
We were at the Cenotaph ceremony this morning before the boys trained at Wembley....
