Challenge Cup Final: Sam Tomkins targets Wembley hat-trick with Wigan

Wigan 's Sam Tomkins (left) celebrates after scoring a try at Wembley against Hull FC in the 2013 Challenge Cup Final. Picture: PA.

Victorious in Wigan’s visits to Wembley in 2011 and 2013 and in two of their Grand Final triumphs, Tomkins is something of a lucky charm, the Warriors’ two recent Old Trafford defeats coming during his stint in the NRL with New Zealand Warriors.

Despite his success, Tomkins’s appetite for silverware is as strong as ever as he eyes a Challenge Cup hat-trick at the expense of Hull.

“That’s why you play the game, you want to play on the big stage,” he said. “It’s what every rugby league player has in common.

“I’ve been very lucky, I’ve played in four finals for Wigan and won four but the Challenge Cup is special. I’ve enjoyed winning it twice and I want to win it again.

“Wembley ticks all the boxes. You never get bored of it, you never know when you’re next one will be so you’ve got to make sure you do everything you can.”

It was that thought that sparked jubilant celebrations when Tomkins scored a last-minute try that put the seal on a 16-0 win over Hull at Wembley four years ago.

He went on to help Wigan complete the double with victory at Old Trafford six weeks later to bow out on a high as embarked on his journey Down Under.

Up for the Cup: Wigan Warriors' Sam Tomkins.

“Yes 2013 was special because I knew I wasn’t going to be at the club the year after,” he said.

“I wanted to finish on a high and amazingly got to do the double that year. It was special then but it will be equally as special to come back and win it.”

Tomkins’ sWembley success mirrors that of his club, who have a remarkable record of 17 wins from 24 appearances and are aiming for a record-extending 20th triumph.

For a club that enjoyed eight successive Cup final victories from 1988-95, a four-year absence from Wembley represents something of a barren run and also adds to the pressure to justify their favouritism.

“We’re a club that demands success,” admits Tomkins. “We’ve been very lucky to win a lot of trophies in recent years and that just adds a bit of pressure I think. You are sort of expected to win big games.”

Wigan go into the final buoyed by a 42-6 rout of Salford while Hull are coming off a 46-18 home defeat by Huddersfield.

“We had a great win but beating Salford doesn’t mean anything when you’re coming up against Hull at Wembley,” he added.