1895 Cup final “could be better” than Challenge Cup final
Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix
Championship pacesetters Featherstone and Leigh boast a wealth of stars that would light up Super League and look set to produce a thrilling 1895 Cup final.
That’s the view of the former England half-back Kevin Brown, now a lead pundit in Premier Sports’ coverage of the Championship this season.
Leaders Rovers meet Leigh for the first piece of silverware of the season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, and Brown believes the contest may even eclipse the Challenge Cup final that follows it.
“I think the 1895 Cup final could be better than the Challenge Cup final,” Brown predicts on this week’s Love Rugby League Podcast, a weekly look at life and league with a star guest, available via Apple, Amazon and all the main podcast platforms.
“Since round two they’ve both completely changed their sides. I don’t know who wins.”
Leigh and Featherstone are Super League ready
Featherstone beat Leigh in the first meeting this season. Both have since been flexing their muscles ahead of the Championship pack.
And Brown, who had a spell in the Championship for Leigh towards the end of his career, believes both sides are already strong enough to maintain a place in Super League.
“I think if both of those sides jumped up to Super League I don’t think they’d be in the bottom two. I see them better than Toulouse and Wakefield,” he said.
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Saturday’s final is likely to see a full Featherstone debut for former Toulouse stand-off Johnathon Ford.
Leigh will look to star man Blake Ferguson. The former NRL winger scored four tries in his debut last time out.
“I’ve played against Blake Ferguson and it’s like trying to tackle a lamppost,” said Brown.
“He’s that tall and that strong. Joey Leilua is the same. Then there’s Ryley Jacks who is one of the best half-backs in the country. Jack Bussey is the best player on the field every time I see him play.”
PODCAST: Kevin Brown previews Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup finals