Rugby league needs to make most out of big day at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Photo: Teri Pengilley/SWpix
Leigh captain Joe Mellor has urged the rugby league community to embrace the 1895 Cup and Challenge Cup finals at the glorious Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Centurions take on Championship rivals Featherstone in the 1895 Cup final at 12pm on Saturday. It is followed by the Challenge Cup final between Huddersfield and Wigan.
Leigh and Featherstone will be the first-ever rugby league clubs to grace the hallowed turf at the new Spurs ground.
Mellor told Love Rugby League: “Rugby league will probably never play at this stadium again so we’ve just got to take the opportunity with both hands and be really excited for it.
“That’s what the lads are excited about most! Everyone wants to play at Wembley but for a change to play at the new Tottenham ground is good.
“I think most lads have been looking it up on YouTube and how good the stadium is. We are really excited for that.”
KEVIN BROWN: 1895 Cup final could be better than Challenge Cup final
The race for promotion
Leigh and Featherstone are fighting for promotion into Super League this season. Rovers sit at the top of the league table after beating the Centurions in round two.
Leigh have not lost a game since then and have made a number of high-profile signings such as Blake Ferguson, Krisnan Inu and Edwin Ipape.
Mellor added: “Since the defeat to Featherstone, we have been building and we are a new team to be fair.
“We are playing the way we want to and I think we can get to a couple more gears yet so hopefully we can keep moving up until the end of the year.
“We took some to get to know each other and learn how each other play. It has been quite a few weeks now since then so hopefully we can get out there on Saturday and get the job done.”
Fev threats
Who are the ones to watch for Featherstone?
Mellor added: “Featherstone’s right edge with (Luke) Briscoe and (Joey) Leilua. They are both strong runners and have brought some good players in like (Mark) Kheirallah at full-back.
“They’ve got threats all over the pitch so we’ve got to be on our game for the full 80 to get the win.”
PODCAST: Kevin Brown previews Challenge Cup and 1895 Cup finals