Chariots on fire

Martin Offiah talks to skysports.com ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup final.

Martin Offiah talks to skysports.com about his Wembley memories

After an eight year absence the Challenge Cup final returns to Wembley on Saturday, with St Helens squaring off against Catalans Dragons. The showpiece event is back at its traditional home this year, albeit in name only. Gone is the historical venue so recognisable by its twin towers and now the new ground, complete with spectacular arch weighing 1,750 tonnes, will stage rugby league's big day out in the capital. One man who knows all about the thrill of cup final day is Martin Offiah. The winger won the competition no less than four times with Wigan and scored one of the greatest ever tries seen in a final when he went the length of the field against Leeds in 1994. He also knows the pain of falling at the last having played for Harlequins in the 1999 final, a game that Leeds won 52-16. However, that defeat can't spoil the Great Britain legend's memories of the big day and he is looking forward to the 2007 showpiece, not least due to the fact that the game is finally returning to its 'home' in the capital. "It doesn't get much bigger than playing at Wembley," Offiah told skysports.com. "The pinnacle for a rugby league player is to become a Lion and play against Australia and to play in a Challenge Cup final at Wembley. "It'll be a big thing for both sides, particularly because it is the first final back at Wembley since 1999. "Although Saints' players are used to picking up medals it will still be special to them. "The old stadium had a lot of history and great memories but this is a new chapter and all the players will want to write their own piece of history."

Old-fashioned final

This year's final pits two teams at opposite ends of the Super League spectrum. While defending champions St Helens are currently leading the way their opponents, Les Catalans, are just hoping to avoid a second successive wooden spoon. However, the Dragons have been on fire in the cup, shocking Hull and then Wigan to become the first ever French side to reach the final. "It's a classic cup tie," Offiah, nicknamed 'Chariots' for the blistering speed he displayed throughout his 13-year career, commented. "We have an underdog and a heavy favourite. It's an old-fashioned cup final. "It would have been great if Wigan had been there for sentimental reasons. They won the first final at Wembley back in 1929 and they are my old club. However, there is no room for sentiment in modern sport."

Upset

While few would bet against Saints walking away with the trophy for an 11th time, an upset is not out of the question. Sheffield Eagles stunned the rugby league world when they defeated the then mighty Wigan 17-8 in the 1998 final, and Les Catalans' recent 21-0 success over Saints shows the form book can occasionally be thrown out of the window. Offiah though is not drawing too many conclusions from that Super League meeting in Perpignan and feels a Dragons win would rank up there as the greatest upset in the competition's illustrious history. "If the Dragons can do the unthinkable and pull off a shock victory it would be a fantastic achievement right up there alongside Sheffield's win in 1998," he said. "I'm sure Les Catalans will take some confidence from that game knowing they have what it takes to beat St Helens, but I wouldn't read too much into that match. As a pure neutral you'd be silly to back against Saints, but sillier things have happened. It's not beyond them, but it is a very big ask." Martin Offiah is an affiliate of sports memorabilia store SJ Dent and Co.
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