Challenge Cup Final: Women’s and Men’s teams, kick-off times and tributes to Rob Burrow at Wembley

VaselineJune 8, 2024

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Challenge Cup Final: Women’s and Men’s teams, kick-off times and tributes to Rob Burrow at Wembley

Your guide to everything you need to know as rugby league makes its annual trip to Wembley Stadium for the 2024 Women’s and Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup Finals on Saturday…

Meet the finalists

Women’s final (11.45 start)

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Leeds Rhinos

Trainer: Lois Forsell.

Captain: Hanna Butcher.

The route to the final: 1 in Group 3; QF – beat Warrington Wolves 70-10 (H); SF – beat Wigan Warriors 34-20 (St Helens).

Previous wins (2): 2018, 2019.

St Helens

Trainer: Matty Smith.

Captain: Jodie Cunningham.

The route to the final: 1 in Group 2; QF – beat Huddersfield Giants 74-0 (H); SF – beat York Valkyrie 32-2 (Doncaster).

Previous wins (3): 2021, 2022, 2023 (also won in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as Thatto Heath).

Men’s final (15.07 start)

Warrington Wolves

Trainer: Sam Burgess.

Captain: George Williams.

The route to the final: R6 – beat London Broncos 42-0 (H); QF – beat St Helens 31-8 (A); SF – beat Huddersfield Giants 46-10 (St Helens).

Previous wins (9): 1905, 1907, 1950, 1954, 1974, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2019.

Wigan Warriors

Trainer: Matt Peet.

Captain: Liam Farrell.

The route to the final: R6 – beat Sheffield Eagles 44-18 (H); QF – beat Castleford Tigers 60-6 (A); SF – beat Hull KR 38-6 (Doncaster).

Previous wins (20): 1924, 1929, 1948, 1951, 1958, 1959, 1965, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1994, 1992, 2012, 2012, 2012 12, 2012

– In the event of a tie after 80 minutes in either final, golden point overtime will be played.

Essential reading

Former St Helens striker Shona Hoyle aims to be a thorn in the side’s old side as Leeds Rhinos eye cup glory
Phoebe Hook’s cross-code switch pays off as another cup final looms
Junior Nsemba is filling the boots of Wigan Warriors mentor after choosing rugby over football
Goal of Wembley glory boosts Warrington Wolves rising star Josh Thewlis

Teams of 21 female and male players

What tributes are planned for Rob Burrow?

Saturday’s men’s Challenge Cup final will kick off at 3.07pm in honor of former Leeds scrum-half Rob Burrow CBE following his death aged 41 on Sunday following a four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease .

The start time was moved back by seven minutes as a nod to Burrow no. 7 which he wore on his jersey throughout his Rhinos career.

A minute’s silence will be observed before both the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals following the signing of the traditional pre-match anthem ‘Abide With Me’.

Fans at Wembley will be encouraged to join in the one-minute cheers after seven minutes in each of the four finals played on the day, including the Year 7 Champions Schools Final and the 1895 Cup Final.

With that, supporters will be able to pay their respects at the Rugby League Statue outside Wembley Stadium from 9.45am on Saturday morning.

The Rhinos take inspiration from Burrow’s legacy

Burrow’s death was particularly felt at Leeds, where he was an iconic figure in the ‘Golden Generation’ of the men’s team, and among those he left a mark on was Caitlin Beevers.

The Rhinos center started his career playing in the same positions as Burrow and benefited from his advice in those early years.

“I grew up watching the golden era and starting at hooker or halfback in the game and he was definitely something I aspired to be,” Beevers said.

“On and off the pitch he was a great man and helped us along the way at the start of my journey to Leeds. He will surely be missed.”

Victory for Leeds, who are boosted by the return of Shona Hoyle, Bethan Dainton and Ruby Enright, in the Women’s Challenge Cup final would be a fitting way to honor Burrow’s memory.

First, however, they must overcome a St Helens side who are aiming to retain the cup for a fourth year in a row and beat them last year in the first women’s final to be held at Wembley, which was a landmark moment for Saints captain Jodie. Cunningham.

“I think it’s something that most of us thought would never happen in our playing careers for the women’s game,” Cunningham said.

“Having the opportunity to play there was huge, but walking up those steps and lifting that trophy was the best day of my life and I’m sure a lot of the girls would agree with that.

“I feel very fortunate that we can do the same thing with this group of girls and some of the girls that didn’t have that opportunity last year, so we want to do it for them.”

No divided loyalties for Warrington skipper Williams

George Williams has already featured in a Challenge Cup final at Wembley, although on that occasion he was on the losing side as Wigan were beaten 18-14 by Hull FC in 2017.

Now wearing the first and blue of Warrington rather than the cherry and white of his hometown club, there is no danger of the England captain and Wolves having divided loyalties.

“I’ve got people asking me for tickets but I support Wigan so there’s no chance,” said Williams. “Joking aside, I’m from Wigan but I’ve definitely got my Warrington hat on and I’m hoping to play at the weekend.

“We haven’t been in a final for five years so it’s something we owe to the fans and we’re playing against the (Super League) champions so we know we have a tough game.”

The final comes just a week after Wigan beat Warrington 19-18 in the Betfred Super League, although both Adam Keighran, who was sent off for a dangerous tackle, and Tyler Dupree are unavailable for the Warriors after serving suspensions three matches. the game.

Wigan captain Liam Farrell is expecting an equally intense and tight competition on one of rugby league’s biggest stages, and it won’t be easy on his former team-mate Williams either.

“He’s one of them,” Farrell said. “We’re from the same town but George has his thing with Warrington so we have to try and stop them.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity and playing against a great team in Warrington. Every time we face them, it’s a tough game, as we saw at the weekend, and it’s one we’re looking forward to as a team.”

Watch every match of the Betfred Super League 2024 season live, including Magic Weekend, the play-offs and the men’s, women’s and wheelchair grand finals. Sky Sports. Also stream NOW.