The first Betfred Challenge Cup title of 2024 is up for grabs this weekend with the wheelchair teams of Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors set to battle it out at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Saturday (June 1, KO 1.30pm) – live on BBC Sport.
The Dragons overcame Leeds Rhinos in last year’s Final with a sparkling performance that saw them score 12 tries to end Leeds four-year grip on the Cup.
Nicolas Clausells scored five of them and added eight goals for a personal haul of 36 points to earn the Player of the Match award, although he was pushed close by his uncle, Gilles, who was a constant threat and collected 10 points from two tries and a goal.
This time round, the French side will face Wigan Warriors in a rematch of the European Wheelchair Club Championship which Catalans won 28-68.
“Whilst Saturday’s Final will be the same two clubs from the European Wheelchair Final, it will certainly not be the same match. Wigan Warriors will be really sharp, they worked hard to get their place in the final by beating Leeds Rhinos” explains Catalans Head Coach Cyril Torres.
“They have a strong team - Declan Roberts has posed us a lot of offensive problems and Jack Heggie will be back, so we’ll have to be strong defensively. Their coach will have learnt a lot about us as an opponent after our meeting in April so I’m expecting them to be countering us on Saturday.”
Following their impressive win last season, Cyril is hoping that Catalans claim back-to-back titles on Saturday.
“We want to continue to perform on the field and to win titles. The players train hard so that they can play in these huge matches, they want our supporters and families to be proud of winning a prestigious trophy like the Challenge Cup.”
The Warriors’ Wheelchair team earned a 48-30 win against Leeds to reach their first ever Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final and Head Coach Chris Greenhalgh is looking forward to what lies ahead.
"As Wigan Warriors we are looking forward to an opportunity to again take on some of the best players in Wheelchair Rugby League. Having recently played them in the European Cup game, we are keen to face them again.”"The fact it’s Wigans first Betfred Challenge Cup Final for the wheelchair team makes it that extra bit special, in particular with the Men’s team also playing at Wembley Stadium a week later. It’s shows we are clearly doing things in the right way as a club."
He added: "Any opportunity to add silverware is precious and all of us, squad and staff, are looking forward to the challenge ahead."
The 2024 Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final will take place at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, on Saturday 1 June (KO 1.30pm) and will also be shown live on BBC Sport. Tickets, priced just £11, are on sale online now.
