Adam Cuthbertson: Intriguing Cup final could go down to the Wire ... but don't discount the Dragons

Adam Cuthbertson's former Leeds team-mate and friend,
Kylie Leuluai, is part of the Warrington set-up. PIC: Tony Johnson — Adam Cuthbertson's former Leeds team-mate and friend, Kylie Leuluai, is part of the Warrington set-up. PIC: Tony Johnson

I THINK we're all set for a really interesting Ladbrokes Challenge Cup final tomorrow '“ mainly because it's two of the sides you'd have least expected to get to Wembley this year.

That’s not that I’d ever have written off the chances of either Catalans Dragons or Warrington Wolves beforehand.

But Catalans were going through a rebuilding process after being in the Million Pound Game last year, with a relatively new coach in Steve McNamara, and they did not have a great start to this season either.

But then they got some momentum together and really found their form in the latter rounds of Super League before knocking off Saints in the semis to show that they could yet take out this Challenge Cup.

Catalans Dragons' danger man, Tony GIgot. PIC: Pascal Rodriguez

Warrington were in the Qualifiers as well in 2017 and are, then, rebuilding, too, with a new coach of their own in Steve Price.

However, they’re both now playing some really exciting rugby.

Catalans have got some real style about them and, with Tony Gigot at full-back, they have an absolute game-breaker in their ranks.

He’s been coming up with some tricks out on the field which have left me thinking ‘How have you done that!?’.

This Catalans side will want to make history as well as the first French club to win the Challenge Cup and also have players needing to make their own mark on the side for the next few years.

Whoever comes into this team now is fighting for their spot for years to come rather than just being given it, which might have happened before.

And I do like the look of this final as there is that big underdog feel to it; Warrington are most people’s favourites to win and Catalans are, then, the big outsiders.

It’s not been like that really since 2015 when Hull KR were the big outsiders against us.

Obviously, it didn’t go well for them that day but hopefully tomorrow we will see a really good, competitive final.

As for who I think will win, on paper I’d have to say Warrington, mainly down to the experience in their squad and that depth of talent.

But Challenge Cup finals are all about just getting it right on the day and anyone can win if they get 80 minutes right.