Sheffield Eagles' Mark Aston relishing underdogs tag ahead of 1895 Cup Final

Sheffield Eagles are looking to claim their third piece of silverware at Wembley Stadium when they face Wakefield Trinity in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final this Saturday.

The Eagles boast a 100% win record at the country’s national stadium despite being named as the underdogs on all three occasions which includes the legendary Challenge Cup Final win over big guns Wigan in 1998.

On being labelled the underdogs, Head Coach Mark Aston said: “I love the fact and why wouldn’t we, they’re full time, spending lots of money and in one day they’re getting more hours than I get in a full week.

“I love the fact that we’re the underdogs, and the fact that we’re the underdogs again and I love that we’re playing a ‘W’ team, I mean how crazy is that.”

Sheffield and Wakefield currently sit 3rd and 1st respectively in the 2024 Betfred Championship with their only meeting this season resulting in a competitive victory for the West Yorkshire side.

Sheffield will therefore be looking to bounce back from defeat to claim one of the first pieces of silverware available in 2024.

On bringing a trophy back to the city, 1998 Lance Todd Trophy winner Aston said: “It’s what it’s all about, it’s giving a kid an opportunity and giving a kid a dream so it’s great that we are now bringing the headlines back to Sheffield. Hopefully everything goes to plan and we get the honours and we get the result but even if not we’ve still put Sheffield back on the map as a sporting city.”

The occasion of this weekend’s finals day is significant to the team as they will feature in the RFL’s showcase of the best that UK Rugby League has to offer.

Just last week Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport hosted the Betfred Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final in an event which advanced the celebration of the quality of Rugby League.

On what that means to the inaugural 1895 Cup winners, Aston said: “We’ve missed the trick over the years but we can get back to it starting on Saturday with a performance, a result and a win then we can start rebuilding.

“We drive towards ultimately one day, and we don’t know when that is, being back in Super League in the great city of Sheffield not only in men’s but also in women’s and in wheelchair.”