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Coached by Rohan Smith, 14-time Challenge Cup champions Leeds Rhinos most recently lifted the silverware in 2020 so have form, although they will have to up their performance from this time last season where they lost at the same stage of the competition in a home draw against Wigan Warriors.

Smith will be hoping the likes of James Bentley, Sam Lisone and Paul Momirovski returning from injury will see the side put in in better performance than last Friday night, when they lost 8-18 to St Helens in the Super League.

Visiting side St Helens are also no strangers to Challenge Cup success, having lifted the cup on 13 occasions, with their last victory being in 2021, Saints boss Paul Wellens also having received the Lance Todd trophy for the side during his playing career. Wellens will be hoping his team can cling to the momentum of last Friday night’s victory, even without the likes of Tommy Makinson who was forced to pull out of last weekend's fixture last minute due to a hamstring injury and is looking like he will still be absent tomorrow.

Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith is certainly aware of the "prestige and history" of the Challenge Cup going into Friday's huge sixth-round tie with old rivals St Helens.

The two clubs have enjoyed thrilling encounters in Grand Finals, Challenge Cup finals and numerous semi-finals.

Smith's own introduction to the competition came when dad Brian was boss of Hull and then Bradford. "I've always followed the Challenge Cup,"

Smith told Â鶹Éç Radio Leeds. "I remember going to games when dad coached at Hull in the late 80s. "I understand the prestige and the history, the rollercoaster that it is playing sudden-death."

His father Brian, one of the great coaches both in Australia with clubs such as St George, Sydney Roosters and Parramatta as well as in the northern hemisphere, took Bradford to the final in 1996 when Rohan was a teenager. The journey through the rounds, and the experience of Wembley week and the day itself all left a lasting impression on the would-be coach. "I went to Wembley when dad was at the Bulls in 1996, and that was a phenomenal experience, in a high-scoring exciting game," Smith added.

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Friday, 22 March

Leeds Rhinos v St Helens – 19:50-22:05 - Â鶹Éç iPlayer, Red Button and Â鶹Éç Sport website and app.

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