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Challenge Cup Final seemingly set for amazing attendance

This weekend, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Leigh Leopards, Hull KR, Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs are headed to Wembley for a triple header of finals with the Challenge Cup Final between Leigh and Hull KR the headline match in the first final since 1986 without Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves or St Helens.

Thus it has been branded a generational final and funnily enough the side who lost that game in 1986 features as Hull KR look to end a wait since 1985 for a major trophy and a wait from 1980 for the Challenge Cup trophy.

Leigh’s wait has been even longer as they haven’t won at Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final since 1971 though did win the 1895 Cup last year.

Thus it is a terrific story for both teams and means a lot to their fans however it has been suggested by some that without a so called ‘big team’ the final will record a poor attendance but the sheer number of fans waving both sides off today suggests it should be a great attendance.

According to some reports, Leigh is set to be empty at the weekend with thousands of fans descending onto London.

Hull KR are also set to take a huge number of fans down to London and there has been a suggestion that the attendance could be more than 60,000.

Here’s some pictures from today’s send off:

Zak Hardaker was amazed by it all:

Hull KR’s send off was also fantastic:

Hull KR have also confirmed their squad for the game.

This has left Willie Peters with a big call to make. Although Jordan Abdull is injured, Peters has a choice between Mikey Lewis, Rowan Milnes and Brad Schneider for the two halfback positions.

There is a chance Lewis could start at fullback but for the semi-final the original plan was to play Ethan Ryan there.

However, he didn’t do to a massive change around caused by Ryan Hall. Hall stands a chance of featuring despite his recent calf injury.

He was supposed to play on the left wing against Wigan Warriors in the semi-final at Headingley but at the 11th hour he pulled out.

Just a matter of weeks removed from that game, Hall could make his first appearance since the Robins beat his former club Leeds at Headingley in Golden Point.

With the Rhinos Hall won two Challenge Cup Finals and lost three finals. He scored in both the 2011 and 2014 finals.

In fact, in the 2014 final he scored one of the most famous Challenge Cup Final tries powering over Andrew Dixon and this helped him secure the Man of the Match.

Interestingly, he and Rovers assistant Danny McGuire both played for Leeds against Hull KR in that 2015 final.

It is a big call from Willie Peters to bring him back in the fold weeks after his last game but if any man can step up to the plate it’s Hall.

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