HERE is the Yorkshire Post's definitive guide to the weekend's rugby league action.
Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-finalsLeeds v St Helens Saturday (Huddersfield, 12.30)
Both teams are aiming to appear in their 21st Challenge Cup final and each has won the trophy 11 times. Only Wigan Warrio
rs have a better record with 17 wins in 28 finals.
St Helens' last defeat in the Challenge Cup was in the 2005 semi-final when they lost 34-8 to Hull at Huddersfield. Since then they have won 13 successive Cup ties, including two finals. Only four players have appeared in all 13 ties: Adrian Gardner, Francis Meli, Keiron Cunningham and Jon Wilkin.
St Helens are appearing in their eighth successive semi-final. They have won five and gone on to lift the Cup four times. The only players to have played in each of the previous seven semi-finals are Paul Wellens and Sean Long.
Keiron Cunningham, who was the St Helens captain in last year's inaugural final at the new Wembley, also helped to win the old Wembley in 1996 and 1997. Lee Gilmour also played at the old Wembley, in the Wigan side that lost to Sheffield in 1998.
Keith Senior is the only current Leeds player to have played in a Wembley final, with Sheffield when they beat Wigan in 1998.
St Helens have won 15 successive matches - 12 Super League matches and three Challenge Cup ties. Their last defeat was 30-24 at Castleford on April 6.
Previous Challenge Cup meetings: Previous RL Challenge Cup meetings
1910-11 (2nd round) St Helens 6, Leeds 11
1929-30 (2) Leeds 5, St Helens 18
1970-71 (2) Leeds 4, St Helens 0
1971-72 (final) St Helens 16, Leeds 13 (at Wembley)
1976-77 (semi) Leeds 7, St Helens 2 (at Wigan)
1977-78 (final) Leeds 14, St Helens 12 (at Wembley)
1982-83 (2) Leeds 13, St Helens 23
1991-92 (2) Leeds 12, St Helens 32
1993-94 (semi) Leeds 20, St Helens 8 (at Wigan)
1999 (5) Leeds 24, St Helens 16
2000 (5) Leeds 26, St Helens 20
2001 (semi) St Helens 27, Leeds 22 (at Wigan)
2002 (semi) St Helens 42, Leeds 16 (at Wigan)
2003 (semi) Leeds 33, St. Helens 26* (at Huddersfield)
2004 (5) St Helens 24, Leeds 14
(* after extra time)
Team news: Leeds are boosted by the availability of stand-off Danny McGuire, who avoided suspension earlier this week despite being found guilty of a high tackle against Catalans Dragons. Kiwi Test full-back Brent Webb (back) faces a late fitness test. St Helens have doubts over Paul Sculthorpe (hamstring) and Lee Gilmour (head injury) but Paul Clough returns after sitting out the derby victory over Wigan.
Key battle: Danny McGuire v Leon Pryce.
Betting: Leeds have a four-point start on the handicap coupon.
Referee: Ashley Klein.
Video referee: Steve Ganson.
Hull v Wakefield Sunday (Doncaster, 3.30)
Hull last won the Challenge Cup in 2005 when they beat Leeds Rhinos 25-24 at Cardiff. Their coach was John Kear, who is now in charge at Wakefield Trinity. Of Hull's winning team only five will play in Sunday's semi-final: Kirk Yeaman, Gareth Raynor, Ewan Dowes, Garreth Carvell and Jamie Thackray. Danny Brough, who kicked the decisive drop goal in the final, is now at Wakefield.
Neither Hull nor Wakefield has a player who has played in a Cup final at Wembley.
Hull have won the last four Super League meetings. Wakefield's last win was 19-6 at Hull in March 2007 when Jamie Rooney landed three goals and a drop-goal.
Previous Challenge Cup meetings: 1907-08 (3rd round) Hull 19, Wakefield 0
1908-09 (final) Wakefield 17, Hull 0 (at Leeds)
1913-14 (final) Hull 6, Wakefield 0 (at Halifax)
1928-29 (1) Hull 11, Wakefield 5
1932-33 (2) Hull 9, Wakefield 4
1934-35 (3) Wakefield 0, Hull 7
1958-59 (2) Hull 4, Wakefield 4
Replay Wakefield 10, Hull 16
1959-60 (final) Wakefield 38, Hull 5 (at Wembley)
1982-83 (2) Hull 32, Wakefield 15
2005 (4) Wakefield 12, Hull 36
Team news: Hull will select from one of their strongest squads of the year. Gareth Raynor, Garreth Carvell, Adam Dykes and Todd Byrne all return from injury, leaving only Motu Tony, Richard Horne, Paul King and Richard Whiting on the sidelines. Wakefield have dropped stand-off Jamie Rooney, who has been unwell in the last few weeks, but recalled scrum-half Danny Brough (ankle) and centre Ryan Atkins (knee). Both players are continuing to undergo intensive physiotherapy.
Key battle: Shaun Berrigan v Brad Drew.
Betting: Wakefield have a six-point start.
Referee: Richard Silverwood.
Video referee: Ashley Klein.
Super League (Current league standing in brackets)
Wigan (5) v Huddersfield (11) Tonight (8.00)
Last six SL matches: Wigan: LDWWLL; Huddersfield: LWLWLL.
Last time in SL: Huddersfield 19, Wigan 20 (Rd 6).
Team news: Wigan give a debut to Australian scrum-half Tim Smith and welcome back full-back Pat Richards from illness. Huddersfield could be unchanged from the team that lost to Warrington last week.
Key battle: Tim Smith v Luke Robinson.
Betting: Huddersfield have a 10-point start.
Referee: Ian Smith.
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