Salford Red Devils have edge over Leeds Rhinos in Challenge Cup experience

As a club, Leeds Rhinos overshadow today’s opponents in terms of Challenge Cup final wins (13) and appearances (25), but man for man Salford Red Devils have the edge.
Rhinos' Tom Briscoe scored five tries on his last visit to Wembley, in 2015. He hopes to win the Cup for a third time on Saturday. Picture by Steve Riding.Rhinos' Tom Briscoe scored five tries on his last visit to Wembley, in 2015. He hopes to win the Cup for a third time on Saturday. Picture by Steve Riding.
Rhinos' Tom Briscoe scored five tries on his last visit to Wembley, in 2015. He hopes to win the Cup for a third time on Saturday. Picture by Steve Riding.

Rhinos’ initial 21-man squad includes six players with previous Cup final experience. Between them, they have five winner’s medals, from nine finals.

Salford have won only one of their eight previous finals, but - thanks in part to ex-Leeds skipper Kallum Watkins - their squad for Saturday boasts 14 previous final appearances and seven victories.

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Rhinos players with Cup final experience are Tom Briscoe (two wins, two defeats), Adam Cuthbertson (one win), James Donaldson (one defeat), Brad Dwyer (one defeat), Richie Myler (one win) and Liam Sutcliffe (one win).

Salford’s Tyrone McCarthy and Kris Welham were both members of the Hull KR side crushed 50-0 by Rhinos in the 2015 final. Donaldson was also in Rovers’ side that day, while Watkins made one of his four Wembley appearances for Leeds, two of which ended in victory.

McCarthy was also twice a winner for Warrington, including the 2012 final against Leeds.

Kevin Brown has lost a final with Wigan Warriors, Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves.

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Salford’s other previous finalists are former Wigan duo Gil Dudson (one win) and Lee Mossop (two wins).

Rhinos boss Richard Agar will select from the 17 who beat Wigan in their semi-final two weeks ago, plus Cuthbertson, Jack Walker, Alex Sutcliffe and Luke Briscoe.

Dan Sarginson, who has coronavirus, drops out from Salford’s semi-final lineup, with Niall Evalds, Ryan Lannon, Chris Atkin, Luke Yates and Oliver Roberts all being drafted in.

Leeds Rhinos: from Walker, T Briscoe, Hurrell, Handley, Lui, Gale, Seumanufagai, Leeming, Prior, Mellor, Martin, Dwyer, L Sutcliffe, Myler, Cuthbertson, Oledzki, Smith, L Briscoe, Donaldson, A Sutcliffe, Holroyd.

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Salford Red Devils: from Evalds, Welham, Inu, Lolohea, Brown, Mossop, Lussick, Dudson, Lannon, Pauli, McCarthy, Ikahihifo, Burke, Yates, Atkin, Flanagan, Greenwood, Williams, Kear, Roberts, Watkins.

Referee: Liam Moore (Wigan).

Kick-off: Saturday, 3pm, at Wembley.

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Laura Collins