Castleford v St Helens, Challenge Cup Final, Daryl Powell

With his Castleford Tigers side currently off the play-offs pace in Super League, the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley is the likely last chance he has of winning a major honour for a club whose team he's been in charge of since May, 2013.

When the season ends, he swaps orange for primrose and blue as Steve Price's replacement at The Wire.

Standing in the way of his date with glory are reigning Super League champions St Helens, who are desperate themselves to get their hands on a trophy they have not won since a fourth success in five years back in 2008.

If Powell is feeling any pressure, he certainly wasn't showing it at yesterday's Captain's Run at Wembley - the final session before match day.

Pictures: SWpix.com

There is further Warrington interest in a decider that is to be played in sweltering conditions, with temperatures set to go into their 30s inside the stadium.

Cas centre Peter Mata'utia and second rower Oliver Holmes are following Powell to The Wire for next season and will be in the staring line-up against Saints.

Oliver Holmes traning at Wembley yesterday. Picture: SWpix.com

And so will Warringtonian Gareth O'Brien, with the former Wire and Great Sankey High school half-back having settled nicely into Powell's plans since joining the club last year.

All three are looking to win their first major honour in the game.

Liam Watts is the only previous cup winner in the Cas ranks, having won with Hull in 2016 and 2017.

Speaking about the weather conditions, Powell said: “It’s going to be challenging for both teams and the team that comes up with the best control in the game and manages the conditions the best will have a real good chance of winning the game.”

Powell, who rested 14 members of his Wembley line-up for last Sunday’s league game against Salford, is able to pick from strength, with Jake Trueman set to start alongside Gareth O’Brien in the halves.

Trueman, whose only appearance in the last two months was the semi-final against Warrington, was rated 70-30 at the start of the week to overcome a back problem and Powell confirmed he will play.

“He looks a bit closer to 100 now!” he said. “He’s trained well, he’s ready to go.

“It hasn’t been the ideal preparation for him but he’s a quality player and a tough player as well so he’ll handle it ok.”

The 2021 Betfred Challenge Cup Final kicks off at 3pm and will be shown live on BBC1.