Friday Interview - Sean Long: On a mission to rub salt into Wembley wounds

However, after spending weeks of frustration sidelined by injury, Hull FC captain Sean Long now has the vanquished Challenge Cup finalists in his sights, returning to the Airlie Birds side to hopefully produce his own dismembering of the crestfallen Super League champions.

While the classy Briers teased and tormented Leeds at Wembley, a week on and Long is looking to produce his familiar scheming vintage tomorrow to condemn their Yorkshire rivals to more misery.

The scenario is simple – Hull, in the final regular round of the season, must win at KC Stadium to usurp their opponents from fourth and set up a trip to table-toppers Wigan.

If they fail, Leeds take the coveted spot and earn two chances in the play-offs while Long's side, currently fifth, are likely to fall to sixth where they will face a sudden-death showdown with city rivals Hull KR next weekend.

Having not played since suffering a painful elbow dislocation in June, the ex-Great Britain star is itching to return and warned the rest of Super League he does not want this season prematurely ending.

Long, who turns 34 later this month, has seen his first campaign at the KC significantly interrupted by injury, just like half-back partner Richard Horne, to the extent they have only featured three times together.

But, with Horne returning from a groin problem, they reunite for the first time since Easter and are eager to steer the Black and Whites towards Old Trafford.

"We want to finish on a high and feel we've let the team and fans down by not being on the field," said Long. "Hopefully, we can give them something to cheer tomorrow and the remainder of this season.

"It's a massive game whenever you play Leeds. They're a quality side who have battered us twice this year – in the Challenge Cup and over at their place – but we've got almost a fully-fit squad now. It's going to be interesting."

Long missed both those previous clashes and is quick to add that tomorrow will be the first time he has faced his old adversaries since last year's Grand Final with St Helens.

The Rhinos ruined his Saints swansong that night, compounding the heartache they inflicted with consecutive Old Trafford defeats the previous two seasons, but, with them threadbare after suffering more injuries at Wembley, there is a feeling he could earn some payback.

"Although I''ve not had the best results in the recent past with Saints, I do enjoy the contest," added Long, who has shorn his trademark locks in readiness for action. "I love playing Leeds, home or away, Grand Finals or Challenge Cup.

"They always play open and quick and it brings out the best in good players. I can't wait to get started again. Me and Rich will be a bit rusty but we're both experienced and it won't take long to gel."

How their beleaguered opponents recover from their Challenge Cup hangover, Lance Todd Trophy winner Briers having orchestrated a masterful Warrington 30-6 final victory, is crucial to tomorrow's outcome.

Leeds have seen Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Chris Clarkson ruled out, adding to the considerable loss of fellow forwards Jamie Peacock and Luke Burgess, so Hull's sizeable pack, boosted by Lee Radford's decision to sign a new two-year deal, will fancy gaining authority allowing Long and Horne the chance to dictate.

Having won five Challenge Cups with Saints, losing just once against Wigan in 2002, he knows all about how a team responds in the aftermath.

"Personally, whether you've won or lost, I think it's an effort to get up for the following match," explained one of the game's most celebrated players.

"I've been in finals where we've won, played Leeds the following week and got battered by 50 points and in '99 we played them after they'd won it and we beat them by about 50, too.

"Whatever happens, no matter how much you think it won't, playing in a Challenge Cup final does affect you."

Long – the only man to have won three Lance Todd Trophy awards – was delighted for Briers.

Two of the most gifted players of their generation, each a frustrating maverick who overcame personal demons, came close to joining forces.

A youthful Long signed for Saints in 1997, just weeks after they sold the teenage Briers to Warrington for 65,000.

"It's funny how things have worked out," he recalled. "Warrington needed a half-back at the time and probably if he hadn't have left I wouldn't have ended up at Saints.

"He's had an unbelievable career there and I had a great career at Saints but I'm at Hull now and wanting to win things here."

Long admits a rare regret is not having ever linked up with his fellow master craftsman.

A succession of international coaches failed to pin them together, concerned about their perceived lack of discipline and sometimes erratic actions, but it is what every genuine fan craved to witness.

"That's one thing I'd have liked to have done," said Long. "Maybe we could have played together on that 2006 Great Britain tour. Briersy played one warm-up match but was shipped back off again. It'd have been great to have played six and seven."

How a top four finish provides play-off insurance

THE battle for a top four place is crucial in Super League as it gives each of those sides two chances to progress in the play-off system.

The leading eight clubs qualify but all those below fourth face sudden-death rugby with fifth v eighth and sixth v seventh. The losers are instantly out.

However, when first-place Wigan welcome the club in fourth – either Leeds or Hull FC – the losers knows they will earn another stab with a home tie.

Second entertain third which currently sees St Helens hosting Warrington but they could switch positions depending on results this weekend.

Qualifying play-offs: 1st v 4th, 2nd v 3rd.

Elimination play-offs: 5th v 8th, 6th v 7th. To be played Sept 10, 11 and 12.