Hampshire: Very special
- Ryan Hampshire shared his memories of playing at Wembley Stadium as a junior ahead of Wigan’s Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth Round tie against Sheffield Eagles.
- Hampshire: “The Challenge Cup is very special for players and supporters and hopefully we can start another great run on Friday night.”
- Tickets for Wigan Warriors’ tie against Sheffield Eagles are available to purchase online HERE.
Ryan Hampshire shared his ‘special’ Challenge Cup memories ahead of Friday night’s Sixth Round tie against Sheffield Eagles.
The Warriors face Championship side Sheffield Eagles at the DW Stadium, in a first meeting between the teams since the Warriors recorded a 50-34 win in the competition at Bramhall Lane in 2010.
Ahead of the game, Hampshire said: “It’s been a really intense week of training off the back of a short turnaround last week which restricted how much we could do in the build up to Salford. We’ve had a valuable three days this week which the lads can take a lot from heading into Friday night.”
The Warriors host a Sheffield side who have won eight from eight in all competitions in 2024, and on the Yorkshire side, Hampshire said: “We know they have two very experienced halves and some dangerous outside backs with Super League experience who can pose problems. We’ve done all we need to know and given Sheffield the respect they deserve, but like any game our preparations have been focused on improving ourselves.”
Peet confirmed to Wigan TV that Hampshire will replace Jai Field at fullback on Friday night, who misses out with a slight knock.
On returning to the side, Hampshire said: “I’m feeling good and looking forward to another run out on Friday night. My focus as always is just to go out there and improve on my last game.”
Hampshire played in the first ever rugby league game at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007, as his school Normanton Freeston beat Castleford High 12-10 in the Year 7’s Boys Champion Schools Final.
The versatile back’s success of winning three titles running as a junior continued at senior level as Hampshire scored a try in an interchange appearance in the Warriors’ Challenge Cup quarter final win over Widnes Vikings prior to winning the competition in 2013.
On the magic of the competition, Hampshire said: “My fondest memory is being part of the squad who won the cup in my first year here. The Challenge Cup is very special for players and supporters – the BBC matches, the days out to Wembley, everything – and hopefully we can start another great run on Friday night.”
Watch full pre-match previews with Matt Peet and Kaide Ellis on Wigan TV HERE.
Ryan Hampshire is sponsored by Ian Parkinson & Lynn Tomlinson
