Challenge Cup Final tradition to be broken with Wembley unavailable for preparations
Posted: Mon May 20, 2024 6:40 pm
This year's Wembley experience will have a different feel to it than usual for the participating clubs.
The club's featuring in Challenge Cup finals day will not be able to do their captain's run session at Wembley this year. Rugby League Live can reveal that clubs have been informed that they will not be able to access the hallowed turf the day before the match which is a break from Challenge Cup tradition.
It has now been confirmed that Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will feature in the men's final, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens in the women's, and Wakefield Trinity and Sheffield Eagles will battle it out in the 1895 Cup. However, all six clubs have been made aware of a change to the standard logistics as they begin their planning for the big weekend.
Finals day takes place on Saturday, June 8th, with clubs generally travelling the day before and having their final session at Wembley. But that isn't an option this year because the evening before, the England men's football team is in action against Iceland. It will be the last time Gareth Southgate's side gets to play a match before the European Championships, which begin a week later.
Given that, and with a big crowd expected, it has made it logistically unviable for clubs to access the pitch hours earlier, resulting in alternative plans. The Rugby Football League is understood to have made alternative venues available, but it has been indicated that clubs are now preparing to train closer to home before travelling down.
The captain's run has always been a good media opportunity too, with members of the press getting a final opportunity to speak to coaches and players ahead of the main event a day later. Alternative arrangements will now need to be made.
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ommunities
The club's featuring in Challenge Cup finals day will not be able to do their captain's run session at Wembley this year. Rugby League Live can reveal that clubs have been informed that they will not be able to access the hallowed turf the day before the match which is a break from Challenge Cup tradition.
It has now been confirmed that Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves will feature in the men's final, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens in the women's, and Wakefield Trinity and Sheffield Eagles will battle it out in the 1895 Cup. However, all six clubs have been made aware of a change to the standard logistics as they begin their planning for the big weekend.
Finals day takes place on Saturday, June 8th, with clubs generally travelling the day before and having their final session at Wembley. But that isn't an option this year because the evening before, the England men's football team is in action against Iceland. It will be the last time Gareth Southgate's side gets to play a match before the European Championships, which begin a week later.
Given that, and with a big crowd expected, it has made it logistically unviable for clubs to access the pitch hours earlier, resulting in alternative plans. The Rugby Football League is understood to have made alternative venues available, but it has been indicated that clubs are now preparing to train closer to home before travelling down.
The captain's run has always been a good media opportunity too, with members of the press getting a final opportunity to speak to coaches and players ahead of the main event a day later. Alternative arrangements will now need to be made.
https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... ommunities