This weekend we see Wigan Warriors and Hull KR meet at the home of Leeds Rhinos, Headingley Stadium, in a huge Challenge Cup semi-final whilst at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones St Helens and Leigh Leopards meet in the other semi-final.
A huge weekend as Wigan chase a 21st Challenge Cup trophy and a second consecutive trophy after winning at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium last year.
Hull KR are hoping to recreate their Challenge Cup semi-final heroics from 2015 at the same stadium.
St Helens boss Paul Wellens has now opened up on the game on Saturday speaking on Saints TV:
“I wouldn’t say lay down a marker, it’s a big game and one of our goals at the start of the season was to go to Wembley and win the Challenge Cup and Leigh stand in our way, so we need to come here and we need to perform as best we can to try and get the result that helps us achieve our goals.
“We know that’s not going to be easy but if playing in semi-finals and Challenge Cup finals was easy everyone would do it so it’s going to be a huge test for us but it’s one that we’re looking forward to.”
Their recent performances, especially the clash against Catalans Dragons last week, could stand them in a good position for the game.
“We’d like to think those games have helped us in terms of where we want to go as a team, particularly last week against Catalan. I thought it was a really traditional game and in terms of intensity, probably one of the best in the Super League this year.
“For us as a team, although we didn’t get the result that we needed or wanted, to see the way the team came home strong in the back end of that game, in such an intense game, it gives us a huge amount of confidence.”
Wellens meanwhile revealed amazing ticket sales by the club:
“All the 5,000 tickets sold again, it’s just incredible support from the town and the people of the town. Not just people of the town, but there’s lots of fans coming from here and everywhere as well.
“We as a club and we as a playing group are so grateful for that support and I’m sure they’ll add a great deal to the atmosphere on Saturday because I know there’s a group of players there who’ll need that support and certainly feed off it as well.”
