It is but I think the point being made is that would Joe Bloggs who only occasionally watch the odd match on TV be more likely to tune in after hearing it would be "Saints v Wigan" or hearing it will be "Warrington v Huddersfield" and with no disrespect to either team I think the appeal to people who aren't as up on the game as a lot on these boards will be lessened by the teams there. They won't see it in the same way as a lot of us as what will hopefully be a fantastic final and a great advert for how things are levelling out in the game and anyone stands a chance more than they did before, they will see it as two teams they have hardly heard of playing a game. As a result of that if the BBC/RFL want to get people watching in numbers rather than flicking over to another channel they need to put something special into pushing the game over the next few weeks.

I doubt anyone would argue the fact we all want as many people aware of what a great sport we have and this is a great chance to push that IT those with the power to do so make sure everyone knows its happening.

A village has lost its idiot! Found him right here...

WE DESERVE TO BE THERE,SOUR GRAPES? WE ARE NOT 3RD IN THE TABLE FOR NO REASON

As long as Huddersfield win its good for the game

Anyone who watched the semis will be watching the final. However, I think when it comes to selling the game to the general public, those of you who live in the north just don't seem to grasp the scale of the antipathy to rugby league, and the ignorance of it, that exists in the rest of the country. There is not one player in rugby league today who has transcended the sport to become a household name in the wider sporting perception of the British public in the way that Hanley and Offiah once did, as another poster pointed out. Frankly, if you're trying to sell the game to non-rugby league fans in the south, you're flogging a dead horse. Wigan-Saints finals are no easier sell than anything else, and do not attract people from outside the fraternity, because those that have heard of those teams assume that that's the final every year.
I live a short train ride from Quins and when rugby league is mentioned down here the reaction ranges from indifference to hostility. The only way that I can see that really changing is with a World Cup win for England. A bit of silverware for Quins RL wouldn't hurt, either. Getting people to watch the Challenge Cup Final will not be achieved with any advertising that the BBC can produce. Let's just hope it's a quiet Saturday and people are curious.

Living in the past aren't we? - this argument that you are famous lacks any respectability whatsoever, WERE is the correct description and trying to undermine a Challenge Cup Final because Wigan missed out doesn't sound like a true RL Fan, and certainly won't put things right on the field.

Although - i admit i beliveve that if Saints had made the Final - Wembley would have been packed to the rafters. But nevertheless i think Huddersfield could sell near to 15 000 and Warrington 25 000.

And to many neutrals who i have spoke to - they are looking forward to this Final more than many previous - due to the fact that both sides are so evenly matched, unlike Saints vs Catalans/ Hull.

it will still be packed with stains fans as many were so arrogant to assume they'd be there and pre-ordered tickets

yes therll be a 3/4 full stadium

For a supposed big and famous club, Wire fans don't half have a small club mentality. Jeez, the biting on this thread lol.

Robinson is right, this is a harder sell to the general public than a final with Saints, Wigan or Leeds in it. Face facts, not matter how competitive you are [inow[/i, neither Huddersfield nor Warrington have won trophies for a long time. Trophy winners get publicity, clubs that have rarely competed in a final for 20+ years don't.

The fact that it should be a close fought game matters little outside the RL fraternity, because people outside that fraternity won't know that.

Entirely correct.

I'm sure they are capable of understanding it, but as lot simply don't want to. A lot don't like hearing the truth, especiaqlly as it doesn't suit them.

Except that I'm not sure it is the truth. It's a fair opinion, but that doesn't mean it's 100% accurate.

My travels around the country regularly depress me about the perception held of RL. Most fans who watch it in non-RL strongholds tend to be ex-pats from the game's heartland. None of my London pals can name any current RL players, the way they could name Edwards, Offiah, Jonathon Davies, etc.

The game was once seen in these areas as a kind of quaint anachronism. The cup final was a day for a load of flat-cap wearing northerners to invade the capital and sing about Ilkley Moor or lassies from Lancashire. All that's gone now (and thank God for it), but we've replaced it with what ... a slick but very small game that most non-northerners aren't prepared to pay Sky subscriptions to watch, and so don't follow it any more (if they ever followed it). One pal of mine from the South Coast recently asked me if RL had been swallowed by RU, because he hears so little about it these days.

Wigan and Saints are still well known as big RL clubs, but more because of their past exploits. No-one I know down south has ever heard of Sean Long or Kieran Cunningham. When you mention Wigan, if often invokes hostility because of a perception that the RL is preventing the football from taking it's rightful place at centre stage.

I honestly don't think the difference between a Wigan v Saints cup final or a Hudds v Wire cup final will make so much difference that it's worth arguing about. But if it did, don't you think that would be a pretty depressing state of affairs? That the RFL would want a Wigan v Saints final every year, because that's the only way they'd get Joe Public to watch?

IM agreeing with a leigh fan who would av thought it, i do think it will be an entertering game for everyone in the ground and watching wordwide.

SAD, SAD, SAD post

I doubt that they do want a Saints Wigan final every year, but they need to sell a Huddersfield Wire game differently and more aggresively.

That is quite true but it is their first final for years. I am pretty sure next time we get to a final we will be creaming ourselves.