Wigan Warriors Set to Face Warrington Wolves in All-Lancashire Challenge Cup Final
The upcoming Challenge Cup final will be an all-Lancashire affair, as Wigan Warriors take on Warrington Wolves at Wembley Stadium next month. This guaranteed dominance of Lancashire-based teams, or at least those not from Yorkshire, has been a notable trend in recent years.
“Only one trophy out of the last 18 major trophies has made its way across the Pennines to Yorkshire,” as pointed out by renowned Wigan Warriors supporter Bilko on Twitter. That lone victory came in an empty Wembley Stadium during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when Leeds Rhinos defeated Salford Red Devils.
Looking back over the past 18 major trophies, the data paints a clear picture of Lancashire’s dominance. In the Challenge Cup, Yorkshire teams have lost the last three finals, with the last Yorkshire team to win at Wembley in front of a crowd being Hull FC in 2017. This year, there will be no Yorkshire presence at all in the final.
The trend continues in the Super League Grand Final, with the last six winners all hailing from outside of Yorkshire. Leeds Rhinos were the last Yorkshire-based team to win at Old Trafford, back in 2017. Remarkably, of the last 12 teams to feature in a Grand Final from 2018 to 2023, only one – Leeds in 2022 – has been from Yorkshire.
The League Leader’s Shield has also been predominantly held by Lancashire-based teams in recent years, with the exception of 2021 when Catalans Dragons finished top of the table. Wigan Warriors and St Helens have dominated the last six seasons, while the last Yorkshire team to finish top of Super League was Castleford Tigers in 2017.
As the rugby league landscape continues to be dominated by Lancashire teams, the question remains: Can any team from Yorkshire end this run of dominance and reclaim their place at the top of the sport? For now, the outlook appears bleak for the white rose faithful.
🔗 Source
