St Helens ‘desperate’ for Challenge Cup glory, says Wilkin

After landing the double last year St Helens are hoping to get their hands on the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup in 2015.

That is according to Saints captain Jon Wilkin who says he is “desperate” to win the trophy again this year.

Read on to see what the Challenge Cup means to the 31-year-old Yorkshireman and where he thinks the competition lies in 2015.

What would be a successful season for St Helens in Super League XX?

We won the double last year, with the League Leaders Shield and the Grand Final, so we’re desperate to win the Challenge Cup this year. I’ve been fortunate to win it four times and it’s the oldest, most traditional, historic competition in the game so following our success last year we’ve got the World Club Series coming up and then it’s the Challenge Cup and hopefully on to the Grand Final.

If you could pick any other Super League player to sign for St Helens this year who would you pick and why?

Catalan Dragons have got a back rower called Zeb Taia who I’m very fond of. I think he’s a great player. There’s a lot of great players in Super League but we won it last year so it’s hard to pick people from other sides.

Who will be the next big thing at St Helens?

We’ve got a big back rower called Joe Greenwood who was brought up in the middle of the Saddleworth Moor up in the hills. He’s a farmer and he’s a really robust young kid. He’s big, strong and aggressive. He played a bit last year but in the pre-season games this season he’s been unbelievable so I expect to see him make a huge impact for Saints this year.

If Ladbrokes gave you a free £100 bet (other than St Helens) to win the Super League who would pick and why?

I’ve got a feeling Catalan Dragons could be an outside chance. They’ve recruited really and well I think if anyone’s looking for an outside bet they should be your team. Warrington are always strong, they’ll be a shorter price though so my £100 would go on Catalan.

Ladbrokes are the proud new sponsors of the Challenge Cup, what is your favourite memory of the competition?

I’ve played and scored tries in the final obviously but my favourite memory is watching the finals as a kid. My whole family would get on a bus and travel down to London together with a good group of friends. For me that’s what the Challenge Cup is all about, family and community. While playing in it is great those childhood memories are my favourite ones.

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