St Helens and Hull captains James Roby and Danny Houghton admit Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final could be their last chance to guarantee they play at Wembley.
The rivals have won five Challenge Cups between them.
But Houghton 32 and Roby 35, have admitted they are firmly in the twilight of his careers.
“I don’t know how many more chances I will get to play in a semi-final or even a final. I’ve got to enjoy it while it lasts,” Roby said.
Houghton said, “We’re one game from walking out at Wembley so it’s a special occasion.”
St Helens will face Hull FC at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday at 02:30 BST.
Wembley Stadium
The final of Rugby League’s Carnegie Challenge Cup has consistently been played at both the new and old Wembley stadiums.
The venue first hosted the final in 1929 and will hold it for many years to come.
St Helens’ James Roby said “We’ve got to get this one out of the way before we can start thinking about Wembley.”
Only Wigan and Leeds have enjoyed more Cup final wins than St Helens. But their last piece of silverware was 13 years ago.
Roby, is the only remaining player from their 28-16 cup final victory over Hull in 2008.
Hull’s Wembley victories are more recent and Houghton was in the side that enjoyed back-to-back victories in 2016 and 2017.
Hull beat the Saints 47-18 on their way to the 2016 final but in 2018 were beaten 25-22 by Justin Holbrook’s men at the quarter-final.
Injury returns
St Helens have been boosted by the return of both first-choice wingers Regan Grace and Tommy Makinson from injury.
Markinson is one game away from his 250th appearance. He also needs two more tries to get to 150 for his career.
Both sat out last Friday’s 34-16 Super League win over Hull.
The Black and Whites coach Brett Hodgson admits their return strengthens his side’s opponents.
Roby insists his side’s emphatic win over Hull just a week ago will have little bearing on the outcome match at Wembley.
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HeadlineRugby Challenge Cup: captains’ last chance to play at Wembley final?
Short HeadlineRugby Challenge Cup: last chance for Wembley?
StandfirstRival captains will face each other in Saturday's Challenge Cup semi-final as St Helens take on Hull FC.
St Helens and Hull captains James Roby and Danny Houghton admit Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final could be their last chance to guarantee they play at Wembley.
The rivals have won five Challenge Cups between them.
But Houghton 32 and Roby 35, have admitted they are firmly in the twilight of his careers.
“I don’t know how many more chances I will get to play in a semi-final or even a final. I’ve got to enjoy it while it lasts,” Roby said.
Houghton said, “We’re one game from walking out at Wembley so it’s a special occasion.”
St Helens will face Hull FC at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday at 02:30 BST.
Wembley Stadium
The final of Rugby League’s Carnegie Challenge Cup has consistently been played at both the new and old Wembley stadiums.
The venue first hosted the final in 1929 and will hold it for many years to come.
St Helens’ James Roby said “We’ve got to get this one out of the way before we can start thinking about Wembley.”
Only Wigan and Leeds have enjoyed more Cup final wins than St Helens. But their last piece of silverware was 13 years ago.
Roby, is the only remaining player from their 28-16 cup final victory over Hull in 2008.
Hull’s Wembley victories are more recent and Houghton was in the side that enjoyed back-to-back victories in 2016 and 2017.
Hull beat the Saints 47-18 on their way to the 2016 final but in 2018 were beaten 25-22 by Justin Holbrook’s men at the quarter-final.
Injury returns
St Helens have been boosted by the return of both first-choice wingers Regan Grace and Tommy Makinson from injury.
Markinson is one game away from his 250th appearance. He also needs two more tries to get to 150 for his career.
Both sat out last Friday’s 34-16 Super League win over Hull.
The Black and Whites coach Brett Hodgson admits their return strengthens his side’s opponents.
Roby insists his side’s emphatic win over Hull just a week ago will have little bearing on the outcome match at Wembley.
London Irish fans are excited but remain cautious following the news that the club has been bought out of administration by an Eddie Jordan-led consortium
