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Tetley's Challenge Cup: Castleford's Liam Finn looking to grasp chance against Leeds

Image: Liam Finn: Castleford playmaker expected to start against Leeds at Wembley

Liam Finn believes he has fully justified his decision to leave Featherstone for Castleford ahead of Saturday’s mouth-watering Tetley’s Challenge Cup final against Leeds Rhinos.

The playmaker followed his old coach Daryl Powell in making the short journey to Castleford from Featherstone, where he was named Championship Player of the Year in 2010, having been crowned Championship One Player of the Year with Dewsbury Rams the previous season.

Many felt the 31-year-old might be gambling with his career in making the step up to Super League so late in his career, but the Ireland international has made a smooth transition into top-flight rugby league.

Finn is expected to start against Leeds at Wembley and the half-back has revealed that earlier in the year that one of his biggest concerns was cracking Powell’s line up.

There are no players in that Rhinos team that we can ignore, they are a solid unit and we just can’t afford to switch off. They know what it takes to go to these big games and win.
Liam Finn

“At the start of the season, all I was worried about was getting into the team, to now think I’m going to Wembley is just incredible,” he said.

“I know how Daryl works, he has fantastic attention to detail and when the opportunity came up to play the sport I love and to put all the things I have learnt to test on a full-time basis, I couldn’t resist.

Opportunity

“I thought I would end my career at Featherstone but things change fast and I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to play in Super League again.”

More from Tetleys Challenge Cup 2014 Final

Castleford made light work of their semi-final clash against Widnes after running out 28-6 winners and while Leeds lost to London on Sunday Finn is expecting a stiff test from the Rhinos.

“Beating Widnes in the semi-final gave us confidence, we were incredibly composed in that game and did exactly what we set out to do,” he continued.

“There are no players in that Rhinos team that we can ignore, they are a solid unit and we just can’t afford to switch off. They know what it takes to go to these big games and win.

“We have had a fantastic season and we work hard for each other, as long as we can maintain that work ethic, there’s no reason we can’t win this game.”

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