Leeds Rhinos forward James Donaldson dreaming of a second Wembley Challenge Cup final appearance

Donaldson spent four seasons with tonight’s last-eight opponents Hull KR and was a member of their side beaten 50-0 by Leeds in the 2015 Challenge Cup decider.

Rhinos have not reached Wembley since then, but this year two wins would see them through to the final and Donaldson would love another crack at getting his hands on the famous trophy.

Recalling the final five years ago, he said: “To play at Wembley, a lot of people don’t get chance to do that.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d get a chance to play in a Challenge Cup final so to play at Wembley was a great honour.

“Obviously the score was shocking, but sometimes that’s the way it goes.

“Our preparation wasn’t very good going into that game and we were pretty poor on the day.”

The Challenge Cup has been disrupted badly this season with lower-division teams pulling out, a sixth-round redraw and some clubs getting a bye into the last-eight.

But the forward insisted: “It is a great opportunity to win a trophy and any chance to do that, you have got to be at your best.

“It has been a bit of a strange year for everyone, but there’s still things to play for and you have to put yourself in the best position to win it.

“Two wins and you’re in the final, that’s crazy - you are not going to get a better opportunity to get to a Challenge Cup final so you’ve got to take it when you can.”

Rhinos were paired at home to Rovers in the original sixth-round draw which was made in March, on the day rugby league was suspended because of coronavirus.

History repeated itself for the quarter-finals, though tonight’s tie will be played behind closed doors at St Helens’ TW Stadium.

Rhinos’ task looks harder now than six months ago. Rovers, who Rhinos beat 52-10 at Emerald Headingley in February, are bottom of the table, but defeated Wigan Warriors two weeks ago and took St Helens to extra-time last Friday.

Donaldson said: “In the Challenge Cup you never know what to expect, but they are playing some great rugby at the moment and it is going to be a huge test for us.

“We have seen what they’ve done the last few weeks, they are really working hard for each other and it is starting to pay off for them.

“We will definitely have to be at our best.”

Under ex-Leeds coach Tony Smith, Rovers like to chance their arm and that makes them a difficult side to contain.

“They are not afraid to throw the ball about and sometimes teams are most dangerous when they do that,” Donaldson added.

“They will move us around the field and we’ll have to put a lot of work in to cover that, but we will definitely be looking for a better start to the game than last week.”

Donaldson, who turned 29 on Monday, helped turn the game against Huddersfield Giants on its head seven days ago when he was introduced off the bench.

It was his first run-out since suffering a fracture of his back against the same opposition 40 days earlier.

Donaldson confirmed: “I got through okay and I was really happy with the way I got through it.

“That extra week, with the Wakey game being cancelled helped me out a bit, to get a bit more fitness.

“I’ve probably been a bit of a nightmare for the physios at the club, telling them I am ready to play.

“They’ve told me to settle down, but that’s just how I am. I want to get back in there and try and help the boys out as soon as possible so it was good to get back out there.”

In the modern game a substitute’s job is to come on, add some energy and make an impact.

Donaldson did that, his run at the start of the second half getting Leeds Rhinos rolling forward after they had gone 10-0 down.

He added: “The game was fast when I came on, so I tried to win a few rucks and get a few shots on where there was an opportunity and tried to get the boys back on the front foot.

“That’s my job every week and I try to do it the best I can and give the boys a lift.”

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Thank you, Laura Collins