Wigan Warriors skipper Liam Farrell is driven to make his hometown proud and help the next generation create memories for life in the Challenge Cup final against Hull KR.
The Warriors face the Robins at Wembley Stadium on May 30 in a re-match of last season's Super League final. Wigan have had a mixed start to the 2026 campaign but came into form with a dominant 32-0 semi-final win against rivals St Helens on Saturday.
Farrell, 35, is 15 years on from his first Challenge Cup final but is desperate to deliver another proud day for the Wigan faithful at the end of the month.
He said: "It came down to commitment towards one another and being connected, in defence and in attack. We did a good job of turning up for our mates, across the squad one-to-17.
"One of my earliest Challenge Cup memories is watching Warriors win in 2001 at Murrayfield, with Andy Farrell lifting the trophy alongside Shaun Edwards and Ellery Hanley.
"Seeing these iconic players representing Wigan and making the town proud – I want that same achievement and even though I've been lucky enough to do that myself, I want to help the younger lads create special memories."
Farrell was named captain in 2023 and became the figurehead of a dominant team that became the first in Super League history to win the quadruple the following year. Warriors won a fourth domestic treble – encompassing the League Leaders' Shield, Super League Grand Final and Challenge Cup – and then also beat Penrith Panthers to lift the World Club Challenge.
The England international revealed the lessons he learned from his captain Sean O'Loughlin in the early stages of his legendary Wigan career have helped him develop as skipper.
He said: "I'm honoured that the fans see me as a leader and I would say when I was younger, I didn't look for the opportunities to be captain. I had a great leader myself in Sean O'Loughlin, he was someone I really looked up at the beginning of my career and I picked up so much off him.
"I watched the way he trained and played as I got older and now, I lean on those lessons when I'm helping the younger lads in the squad."
The four-time Challenge Cup winner and five-time Super League champion has become a rock of the Cherry and Whites since his debut in 2010, however his steely demeanour wasn't always so strong. Wembley has hosted the final for 97 years and Farrell admits walking out at the 90,000-capacity stadium gives him goosebumps.
Farrell added: "In 2011 at my first Challenge Cup final, I was very nervous since Wembley is one of those stadiums where you walk out the tunnel and you never see the top of the stadium.
"The roof just keeps rising and rising and rising, and the crowd's roaring while the music blasts. We know we've got a big challenge in front us and it means so much personally to be a homegrown captain. There's always the pressure of continuing the rich history of Warriors in this special tournament."
The Betfred Challenge Cup Final will return to Wembley Stadium on Saturday 30 May 2026. Wembley Stadium remains a special occasion for Rugby League and always produces unforgettable moments – be there to experience the History, Drama and Glory! Tickets are on sale.
