Wigan Warriors and Huddersfield Giants prepare to face off in the Challenge Cup final

After weeks of build-up and anticipation, the trip to Tottenham Hotspur if finally upon us as Yorkshire and Lancashire clash in the capital.

It’s a one-year change from the usual venue of Wembley Stadium with the Challenge Cup being played along with the 1895 final which will see Leigh Centurions face off against Featherstone Rovers.

Both Wigan and Huddersfield came through their respective semi-finals as shock winners after Wigan defeated historic rivals St Helens which was followed by the Giants coming out victorious in an all-Yorkshire affair with Hull KR.

But the final may well be hard to call with both sides getting their first smell of Challenge Cup success in a while.

Huddersfield haven’t been in the final since 2009 when they were defeated by the Warrington Wolves, and the Giants haven’t lifted the trophy since 1953.

As for the Warriors, they last reached this stage of the competition in 2017 but they fell to a 18-14 defeat to Hull FC. However, the Warriors are the most successful Super League side in the competition, having won 19 out of 31 finals meaning the Giants will have to be on top form if they’re to be lifting the trophy on Saturday afternoon.

As for the team news, there was a couple of surprises amongst either set of squads which were released on Thursday morning.

The Warriors have named Tommy Leuluai in their 21-man squad after he picked up a knee injury in the Good Friday defeat to St Helens. The halfback hasn’t featured since the injury but Matt Peet may choose to risk Leuluai after back-to-back defeats heading into the game.

He’s part of two changes which also sees Kaide Ellis come into the squad and sees Sam Halsall and Matty Nicholson drop out.

As for the Giants, they’ve suffered a blow after naming their squad with Theo Fages unable to regain fitness in time for the final and will join Sebastine Ikahihifo and Jake Wardle on the sidelines.

However, there was some positive news for the Huddersfield faithful as Will Pryce was named in the squad after finishing his ten-match ban. Pryce was handed a hefty penalty after a dangerous tackle on Hull FC winger Connor Wynne.

The tackle saw Pryce given a straight red card but after hopefully learning from the horrendous tackle, he has his chance to right the wrongs and what better game to do it than the Challenge Cup final.

With both squads named, the tension is now really stepping up as the final rapidly approaches and both sides travel south ahead of the big game in the capital.

Ian Watson and Matt Peet have the chance to make history for themselves and their sides, but the final may well be a tough one to call and it will be interesting to see the squads names ahead of kick off on Saturday.

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