WATCH: Luke Gale is hoping Leeds Rhinos can finally end his thirst for major trophies

Indeed, not only that, remarkably, today’s Coral Challenge Cup semi-final against Wigan Warriors is the first time he has even reached the famous old competition’s last-four stage.

It seems bizarre given the England scrum-half’s pedigree but it was one of the primary reasons why he made the move from Castleford Tigers back to his hometown club last autumn.

Leeds are serial trophy winners; they are his best chance of success even if the side Richard Agar fields today is vastly different to the one that last prospered, Brian McDermott’s Rhinos defeating Gale’s Castleford in a Grand Final three years ago.

Clearly, Rhinos are moving along nicely under Agar’s tutelage with Gale - who also won Man of Steel, the League Leaders’ Shield and played in a World Cup final in 2017 - the heartbeat of his revamped side.

The prolific No7, for his part, maintains he has never felt resigned to finishing his career without one of the two big pieces of domestic silverware.

“No. Never. You don’t ever think like that,” said Gale, on the eve of today’s showdown.

“It’s just one of those things. Sometimes you’re lucky on a Cup run and sometimes you’re not.

“I’ve had a terrible run in the Challenge Cup, to be fair. When we ended up getting to a quarter-final at Cas, we drew Hull twice and they went on to win it both times. It was St Helens the other time so I’m due a change of luck.

“It’s never quite happened for me but luckily enough we’re in a semi-final against Wigan and I’m massively excited about that.

“Everyone wants to win trophies and big games. I’ve not quite got over the line yet on that but this is why I came to Leeds.

“Leeds have played in so many and the history books tell you how many they have won so doing it in Leeds colours would be massive. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about that.”

A few months ago, though, he could not have imagined thinking about playing a game of such consequence in front of no fans, as will be the case today in St Helens and also at Wembley in a fortnight’s time.

Gale said: “I probably get asked that question more than any other: what’s it like playing with no fans? We get paid to play rugby. Fans would be great, of course.

“You want them there. We all want them in the semi and in the final; they make the game. They make the sport. But we simply can’t have them. It can’t be helped. We’ve got a job to do, with fans there or not. It’s disappointing but that’s life.”

And, as Rhinos assistant coach Jamie Jones-Buchanan rightly pointed out this week, this year’s final will be remembered as “iconic” regardless given it will be the only time it has ever been played in an empty stadium since its inception in 1896.

“I never thought of that; he always comes out with some pearls does Jonesy,” said Gale.

“It has been a strange year but a Challenge Cup is still a Challenge Cup in 2020 or 2023 or whenever; you’re still a Challenge Cup winner. The boys have trained really well and everything is in place.

“There’s no crowds but as soon as that whistle blows you’ll know it’s a Cup semi. Wigan are a tough side who play with plenty of aggression. I’m sure both teams will come out swinging.”

In readiness for this seismic affair, both clubs rested the majority of their likely 17 for their midweek games, Leeds losing 34-6 to Catalans Dragons, 24 hours after Wigan fell 42-0 to St Helens.

Gale’s battle with Wigan’s Jackson Hastings, the Australian-born Great Britain half-back who is paired with veteran Kiwi Thomas Leuluai, will be fascinating

He said: “Hastings is the reigning Man of Steel and Tommy’s been about for a number of years and seems to be still going strong.

“But our half-back combination is good as well. Rob Lui is a stalwart who seems to have been about forever. He still assures me he’s 29 which I don’t believe.

“Wigan are up there year, in year out. We know about Hastings - he’s a great player - but Bevan French is another who’s added a new dimension to them this year. We know his dangers and we’ve worked on that this week.

“Rich has done our plan and we’re happy with it. All we need to do is go out and play the game.”

Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils then follow on to complete the double-header.