Wembley links: Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity ties to all 4 Challenge Cup finalists
Leeds Rhinos won’t be appearing in either of this weekend’s Wembley finals, but there’s no shortage of connections to the three clubs who are.
Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup finals day kicks off with a showdown between Wigan Warriors and St Helens in the women’s decider before holders Hull KR face Wigan for the men’s title - and there are former Rhinos players in all four teams.
Goal-kicking second-rower Rhyse Martin played behind closed doors at Wembley for Rhinos in the 2020 men’s final, when Luke Gale landed the winning one-pointer in a 17-16 victory over Salford Red Devils. Martin, who booted two goals that afternoon, is in the Robins’ squad for Saturday while Gale is on their coaching staff.
Martin, who will hang up his boots at the end of this term, missed Hull KR’s Wembley win against Warrington Wolves last year through injury. Gale - a former Castleford Tigers scrum-half - joined Rovers from Wakefield Trinity in pre-season.
Two other members of Hull KR’s 21-man squad, loose-forward/captain Elliot Minchella and outside-back Jack Broadbent, began their career in Rhinos’ academy and both played in last year’s Cup triumph.
Two Wigan forwards, Sam Walters and Sam Eseh, have played for Leeds. Walters joined Rhinos’ academy from Widnes Vikings and was a Grand Final runner-up in 2022 before joining Wigan two years later.
Leeds-born Eseh progressed through Wakefield Trinity’s youth system, made his first team debut in 2022 and also featured on loan for Featherstone Rovers that year. He signed for Wigan two years ago and played five games on loan for Rhinos in 2024, as well as once on a similar deal with Castleford.
Trinity, Tigers and Hunslet fans will also have old boys to root for in the big game. Dean Hadley spent the 2017 season on loan at Wakefield from Hull KR and fellow pack man James Batchelor came through Trinity’s system to make almost 100 first team appearances from 2016-22 until moving east to Craven Park. Another Rovers forward, Australian Jai Whitbread, joined them in 2024 after two seasons at Trinity.
Castleford-born back Noah Booth moved to Hull KR from Wakefield and had a spell on loan with Hunslet. His father Craig Both played for clubs including Hunslet, Featherstone and Batley Bulldogs. Finally, prop Tom Amone spent part of last season with Castleford prior to beginning a three year contract at Hull KR.
The women’s game also features former Rhinos and Tigers players, including several with past Wembley experience for Leeds. Saints’ Amy Hardcastle, Caitlin Casey and Shona Hoyle all played in the 2024 final when Leeds were beaten by their current side.
Casey and Hardcastle played for Leeds the previous year when Hoyle was part of the victorious St Helens team and the trio also featured for Saints in the 2025 defeat by Wigan, making them Wembley ever-prersents since the final was moved there three years ago.
Wales captain - and dual-code international - Bethan Dainton is in her first campaign with Wigan following a move from Leeds who she represented in the 2023 and 2024 finals. Kelsey Gentles also joined Wigan this year, from York Valkyrie. A winger turned prop-forward, she played for East Leeds in her home city before joining Tigers.