The St Helens full-back Paul Wellens is urging his teammates to ignore Hull's position in the Super League table and expect tomorrow's Carnegie Challenge Cup final to be a tough clash. Hull are second from bottom of the league, but have the chance to end the year with one of the only two major trophies up for grabs. It is three years since Hull sprang a surprise by beating Leeds in the cup final while they were runners-up to Saints in the 2006 Grand Final - and that is the team Wellens is anticipating facing in the Wembley clash.
"We know Hull are a great side," he said. "They are probably a top-four team with everybody fit and playing well. "We're preparing for the Hull we've played over the last few years, not the Hull lying 11th in the table because the personnel has not changed that much. They've got internationals throughout their squad." Wellens, who shared the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match with Leon Pryce in Saints' win over Catalans Dragons a year ago, will be appearing in his sixth Challenge Cup final.
He said: "I'm excited and looking forward to it. The older you get, the more you appreciate it." * PA Sport
