Darryl Powell: Sinfield is the key to providing an upset

For that reason, I see Kevin Sinfield as being a big contender for the Lance Todd Trophy. He’s obviously a key player for Leeds and we all saw what he is capable of doing in the semi.

Kev’s top of the pile and, with Jamie Peacock’s leadership qualities, Danny McGuire and Rob Burrow, who can make something out of nothing, they have the players to win the cup final.

It’s important they get a big start, though. If they do that, Leeds have every chance of lifting it for the first time since 1999.

I’m not surprised Wigan are favourites and they will be even bigger now after what happened to Rhinos last weekend. But that doesn’t matter. The last time Wigan played at Wembley they were big odds-on to win and we all know what happened against Sheffield. This is a one-off game and Leeds have taken them close twice already this season.

They will also be better for that experience of losing there last year so, regardless, of what everyone else thinks, I do believe Leeds can win it. Having won it as a player in 1999 – a truly special day – I had experience as a coach of losing the Challenge Cup final by two points to Bradford in 2003.

Me and Kev have chatted a couple of times since about whether he should have kicked that penalty to take the game into extra-time.

He believed we were on top and we would get them with a try and I don’t really know if he’d change his mind in the future. It’s tough as a player and it was a difficult decision to make – I did feel we were on top as well – but it’s all history and gone. It was hard to take but Kevin Sinfield is a better player now for that whole experience and I expect him to be crucial.

* Darryl Powell: Featherstone Rovers coach, Challenge Cup winner with Leeds in 1999, losing Rhinos coach in 2003