Challenge Cup Final: Huddersfield Giants predicted line-up

The last time Huddersfield contested a Challenge Cup Final was in 2009 at the start of what was their finest period in Super League under Nathan Brown and eventually Paul Anderson.

However, under Ian Watson, the Giants are again building into a fantastic side and could topple the legacy of that team the only survivor of which is Leroy Cudjoe – although Michael Lawrence was also a member of the squad back in those days.

That might seem like a long time ago, but that length of time is dwarfed by how long it has been since the Giants last tasted victory in the oldest and most prestigious competition in our sport. It’s been nearly 70 years since the Giants defeated the Saints in the 1953 cup final so there is indeed a monkey on their backs.

But they have the means to shake it off with a great squad and a great coach but which of that great squad will play today? Who will Watson name in his side?

Starting with the backs, there should be very few surprises if any. Tui Lolohea has become one of the league’s best fullbacks recently and is a certainty to play there today. Meanwhile, the three-quarters have all cemented their spots in the side so much so Jake Wardle, Louis Senior and Ashton Golding will not feature along the backline.

The halves are where it gets interesting. The hamstring problem suffered by Olly Russell and Theo Fages’ injury had some expecting Will Pryce to have to dive in at the deep end after his 10-match ban. But Russell got through yesterday’s captain’s run unscathed and will play alongside Jack Cogger we’re led to believe barring a last minute switch. Either way the loss of Fages’ big game experience will be a blow.

In the pack, Watson has a settled formation with the only change likely to be the return of the brilliant Chris McQueen at the expense of Sam Hewitt. That said, Hewitt could still feature on the bench after some encouraging performances recently owing to Seb Ikahihifo’s absence. It will likely be him or experienced Michael Lawrence occupying a spot on the bench alongside Owen Trout and Joe Greenwood.

The final spot amongst the interchanges will either go to Golding or Pryce. The former is expect to get the nod but the quality of Pryce coming off the bench to change a cup final would be devastating.

Here’s our predicted line-up:

6 Tui Lolohea
25 Innes Senior
4 Ricky Leutele
21 Leroy Cudjoe
2 Jermaine McGillvary
23 Oliver Russell
16 Jack Cogger
8 Chris Hill
9 Danny Levi
20 Oliver Wilson
11 Josh Jones
12 Chris McQueen
13 Luke Yates
Substitutes
5 Ashton Golding
15 Joe Greenwood
17 Owen Trout
29 Sam Hewitt