Francis Cummins: Headingley club will be better prepared

They have pace and are willing to pass the ball which I think you need against them.

It’s foolish Leeds are such big outsiders. I just can’t understand it, especially given how close it’s been the last two times they faced each other this season.

Leeds are going to have to kick-chase and defend Sam Tomkins early on. He’s playing so well and needs looking at.

The feeling in the dressing room last year after losing the final to Warrington was just one of frustration because Challenge Cup finals are all about the performance.

We just didn’t perform. We’d been playing well before and just didn’t get going at Wembley; there’s nothing worse than building up then not delivering.

That will make them better this season and they will have looked at their preparation.

In all honesty, finals are won well away from the final itself; it’s what you do before and we just weren’t ready.

In hindsight, what hurt us was the team had not delivered a game plan for a long time.

They had played off their wits and got away with some wins in the league but, with the errors we made at the start against Warrington, we couldn’t get back in it. It became every man for their self.

That can happen; people try harder and harder, hoping someone pulls it off.

Leeds did not have the best result last week against Quins but they can still upset those odds and come out on top against Wigan.

* Francis Cummins, Bradford assistant coach; Leeds assistant 2010 Challenge Cup final; youngest Cup finalist in 1994.