Two of your potential playoff rivals are going to go out at the semi final stage so how does that increase your chances of playoff success?

With the gap you currently have at the top you could've even had the LLS wrapped before Wembley and rested players between then and the playoffs. Whereas Hull last year only had a 1 point gap post Wembley.

Having the experience of big occasions like a cup semi and a final and winning them would help your playoff chances, missing out on them is valuable experience lost when it comes to playoff rugby which is on a different level to regular league games.

You could have been 1 game away from a final today. Surely been 1 game away from a final twice, gives you a better chance of winning a trophy than been only 1 game away from a final once.

History suggests otherwise. Very few teams who play at Wembley win the grand final.

But two of our potential rivals will be playing two intense games whilst we have a week off.

Although I cannot disagree with this comment, you have to understand the significance of the cup win at Wembley for Hull FC as a club. The players were let off their leads for a good few days after that win due to the impact it had on the club.

I doubt that would happen, should Hull be good enough to win the cup again.

Would be interesting to know where is being thought of as venues

Twice in the last 4 seasons it's happened, not only play at Wembley but win.

You might get to put your feet up for a week but at the cost of major big game experience. History would suggest teams with the big match experience reach or win Grand Finals.

Twice in the last four seasons. But how often overall?
There are different perspectives. I'd rather not play every possible week of the season given our strong position in the league. I think it cost us in 2014.

Leeds v Hull at the Keepmoat.
Wigan v Salford at Leigh.

Since the first Grand Final in 1998, there's been 12 Wembley finals, of which 5 eventual Grand Final Winners have been present. If we include the non-Wembley finals in that (2000-2006) then 9 of 19 Grand Final winners have played in the Cup final the same year.

Breaking it down further and looking at how each Grand Final Winner has done in the Cup:
Cup Winners - 4
Cup Runners Up - 5
Cup Semi - 2
Cup Quarter Final - 1
Cup Round of 16 - 6
Cup Round 4 - 1

So Cas losing in the Quarter Finals isn't looking promising for you really....

Did you say this before the game, that you weren't bothered about being knocked out?

How overall do you want considering the different formats and cup final date? We've only had two seasons of the CCF slap bang in the middle of a Super 8's?

It's because of your strong position and points gap in the league you really could've gone for Wembley because you could have rested players between Wembley and the playoffs.

Doubt it Dave ! Not won it for 31 years.....

Yes.
See my post on Casforum on 12th June.

Confirmed?