The Premiership didn't quite carry the same prestige as the SL Champions Trophy that culminates the modern era season. Leeds won it twice and while it's always nice to pick up a trophy it didn't rescue otherwise disappointing seasons anymore than an early season Yorkshire Cup would. On occassions there were two days between rounds of the competition as happened to Leeds in '75 or a round would be played the week before the Challenge Cup Final with teams choosing to field a scratchy side with eyes elsewhere.

CC cup every time, the true champions are the team who finish top after 28 rounds.

100% wrong for many reasons but if you followed the whole SL and play-off concept you'd know that.

A heck of a lot of people can't seem to get used to the Champions being based on the Grand Final.

For me the CC is clearly a major trophy and second to being Champions. I wouldn't claim it as meaningless, although I suspect that early-round knockouts are not the tragedy they were 15 or 20 years ago - either financially or for the fans.

I would give up winning on Sat if it means we can win at OT in October. GF is the No1 IMO followed by the CC and then the League leaders shield.

I'd rather take the CC on Saturday and go into the play offs with all to play for...

Leeds have never done the double in their history ..... that's ever.

The players and coach Challenge Cup winning experience, the new venue, injuries and the amount of strapping holding some players knees together are all concerns.

Underdogs but it's all on the day.

I dont know which i would rather win.

However i do know that this year with the leeds and warrington both getting to the final, it has renewed everyones enthusiasm, and i know that i (as a wigan fan) and everybody associated with rugby that i know.....cant wait for saturday!!

I think the challenge cup may become that little bit more special again after saturday! Good luck to both!

No they are not. It's like this, I'm sure most sensible posters will agree

GF>CC>WCC>Hubcap

Agreed.

I agree the championship has to be more significant because it is the climax of many more games home and away againts all comers. But the actual experience of the finals themselves is quite similar. I hope to report which I prefered in a few weeks time.

A sell-out crowd at a 90,000 venue 200 miles away (from most clubs) would suggest it's popularity remains high. The GF rarely sells out, played in a smaller venue & in RL heartland!!

In response to the OP, the Challenge Cup is extremely important. It's the way we sell the game to the nation. It's my opinion that the games are often scrappier than grand finals, but that's because the cup finalists tend to play with less inhibition than is typical of a grand final. For this reason, you're much more likely to see a free-flowing classic in a cup final which is good for the game's public image and also for the fans. Roll on saturday.