Comment on the Challenge Cup final, before, during and after the match.

Ill be making my way to Devon for a weeks rest, sun, sand and a few beers



enjoy the game

If Catalans perform like they did in the SF I think they’ll win but not sure about their lineup the last two weeks. On the one hand yes you do rest players but momentum which they had leading into the SF has been lost a bit now ahead of the final.

I suspect every non Dire fan will be cheering for Catalan.



Oh how I will laugh if the Dragons pull off a win.



And it looks like the attendance will be the worst ever for a Challenge Cup final in a game which involves Warrington.

Just hope it’s a very good game for the neutral supporter, not too bothered who wins the game.

It does look as though the Catalans are slightly undercooked by showing very little interest on the super 8,s in resting too many players.

They obviously will want to stop Warrington playing there open game as they did with the Saints but I,m not sure if lightening strikes twice.

We should all be sweating on the fitness (ankle) of Antoine Gigot, the mesmerising Catalans full back. Without him Catalans lose a lot of attacking strike power and the game will be less exciting.

This is a tough game to call. Warrington are favourites but if Catalans play like they did in the semi they will lift the cup and create French rugby league history. Catalans rested several players in their last two fixtures.

We?

Depends who you're cheering for

I just hope that the referee has a good game such that there's no controversy over the final result....oh and I hope that Warrington have the game sown up by 3/4 time so that I can enjoy my beer.

Warrington has two danger me: Stefan Ratchford and Darryl Clark. If Catalans can bottle up those two, and Antoine Gigot is fit, then Catalans should win.

Nothing funny if Catalans win. They are a good side, playing against another good side. And, of course, neutrals will support the French team, they are good for the game. Meanwhile, Warrington supporters will do what they are supposed to do, support Warrington.



Quite straightforward, really.

I can't really argue with any of that Jonno, every neutral will probably back Catalans, if they win I'm sure that you'll be laughing like a drain and yes there's a good chance that this year's attendance will probably be the worst ever for a Challenge Cup Final that involves Warrington as it's safe to say that there's usually more at our finals.



How's things with you otherwise?

Wire's pack will have to make a stand against what's likely to be a pretty full on onslaught. Westwood'll be in his element, I'll be interested to see whether Hill fronts up to Catalans and not the ref.

Warrington -4.

Spot on Hill needs to cut out any 'antics' he's become an easy target

This week is going slooowly.

Can't wait, it's games like this that make standing on the terraces in the cold against teams like Widnes (

) worthwhile.

Very tough game to call. Two fairly even teams, I’d actually argue Catalans have a slightly better squad.



I think Wire may be a few points better off in the SL table due to that run of eight wins in a row which was probably more just a run of form than true quality; and Catalans are a few points worse off in SL as that run of 7 losses in their first eight games which was more a run of bad form than true eness.

Hope Warrington win it .No love for Catalans and their borderline thug tactics.Saying that it's 2 big packs and on paper looks like it should be a tight game. Warry's key players have been at Wembley before and I just can't see them chucking it away again..Expect Cats to start very hard and fast but if kept out I reckon Warry by a couple of scores..We will see

Anybody gave an idea of ticket sales? I fear a low crowd given that the RFL is still pushing them online.

Fans who bought in the top tier have been moved to the bottom tier.



For some bizarre reason all of the top tier seats have been taken off sale, these are/were the cheapest tickets, although very few tickets are available to buy elsewhere, looks like 50,000 have been sold.

People need to focus on the game, not the crowd. They'd be empty seats at pretty much any possible final and that's down to how the cup has gone downhill

Presumably as sales have been modest so (a) closing section reduces staffing costs; and (b) putting people into lower tiers will make crowd look better on TV?

The decision to close the top tier was made over 1 week before the final, there are hardly any tickets left in the other tiers. The £20 and £30 top tier tickets for a cup final at Wembley should be an easy sell to Londoners.

ahem...."With a lower crowd than usual expected this weekend due to Catalans’ involvement, it has again reared suggestions about whether the final should move from its spiritual home. Ratchford, however, is adamant is belongs where it is." ENOUGH SAID