THIS weekend sees the Powergen Challenge Cup final take place and while last year it featured two Yorkshire clubs, this year we've got a Lancashire derby between St Helens and Wigan.

I don't think this necessarily reflects a shift in power to the Red Rose county. You get the luck of the draw in the earlier rounds and in one-off games Saints have beaten Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos.

Saints therefore are the form team and it's fair to say they have reached the final the tough way. They've faced Super League sides right the way through, so no-one can argue they don't deserve to be there.

Their form this year and results in big games mean they must start as favourites but that's not to say Wigan can't shock them.

You are talking about one of the greatest clubs the game has ever seen and they have got some of the biggest names in the sport playing for them.

However, Saints are probably the most difficult side against whom to set a game-plan because they have so many players who can change a game with a piece of individual magic. Not many teams have that many players with that kind of calibre.

Whatever the outcome, the game is likely to generate a great atmosphere. The match is a complete sell-out and it will be played in a marvellous stadium.

The Millennium Stadium is quite unique as it is smack bang in the middle of Cardiff city centre.

I went to the final last year and there was a great atmosphere in the city itself and inside the stadium. They kept the roof on last year and it made for a great atmosphere, and with these two clubs in the final they're going to generate another great atmosphere, whether or not the roof is closed.

It's a stadium fitting of the occasion and while Wembley is closed it's the best place for it.

Wembley, though, had something extra special. It always had the touch of magic about it. There's the historic mystique about Wembley and although the stadium itself was well in need of renovation, I am sure that most players will tell you they would prefer to play there.

The cup final means everyone else has time off this weekend and for us at the Knights, because of our cup runs, it's our first weekend off since December.

I know some clubs have given players the whole week off but we're training during this week before having the weekend off. It's fair to say the lads will get a well-earned rest.

We had the weekend away last week when we enjoyed a good win at Barrow on Sunday. We didn't have a very good start and, although we felt we were playing all right, the 16-0 scoreline was not encouraging. However, the way we kept our composure and belief was good.

Cumbria is not a good place to lose - it is a long bus journey home - but it's a great place to win.

With no game this weekend, the lads let their hair down a bit on the way home and our resident impressionist, Chris Langley, also kept us entertained.

He took the mic at the front of the bus and impersonated some rugby league personalities. I can't say who he did, however, for risk of getting him into bother - but I can say he is very, very good.

The weekend itself worked really well and I'm grateful that the club allowed us to do it. We trained at Pontefract Rugby Union Club on Saturday then travelled to Lancaster, watched the Sky match, had a decent dinner and a good night.

I roomed with Danny Brough and I can say he did not cause me a minute's trouble.

On Sunday morning we left the players to their own devices before making the trip to Barrow and in the end the preparation paid off.

To have spent three and a half hours on a bus on a hot day like Sunday would not have been ideal so to do what we did helped a lot.

It was also great to see so many Knights fans make the trip. I hope they all enjoyed the day.

Updated: 11:16 Wednesday, May 12, 2004