St Helens v Warrington: Challenge Cup final 2019 – live!

2 mins: Saints rumble down field and Coote hoists a kick that immediately has Ratchford at full-back under pressure but he takes it well and Warrington work it clear.

1 min: Stafan Ratchford kicks us off.

A bit of pre-match patter from Aaron Bower at Wembley:

The build-up has been almost entirely dominated by the fitness of Blake Austin, but in truth, the focus here should be on this St Helens side. If they execute their game-plan like they have done on a near-weekly basis in Super League this season, you suspect it will be irrelevant whether Austin is out there or not come full-time.

This is all about the Saints. If they can handle the pressure of being overwhelming favourites, they should win the game. A fast start will be key for Warrington if they are to stand a chance; too many times this year have the Saints been well ahead by the end of the opening quarter. If that happens today, it could be a long afternoon for the Wire.

Before Abide With Me, Wembley pays its respects to young Batley Bulldogs half-back Archie Bruce with a minute’s applause.

With the traditional pre-match anthem done, the players make their way on to the Wembley pitch. Kick-off is imminent.

Just over ten minutes to go until kick-off. Here is a little pre-match reading.

Aaron Bower is Wembley today. Here are his thoughts on Warrington’s starting line-up.

Here are today’s starting line-ups.

Warrington Wolves: Stefan Ratchford, Tom Lineham, Bryson Goodwin, Tony King, Josh Charnley, Ben Currie, Declan Patton, Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jack Hughes, Jason Clark.

Bench: Sitaleki Akauola, Joe Philbin, Matt Davis, Jake Mamo.

St Helens: Lachlan Coote, Tommy Makinson, Kevin Naiqama, Mark Percival, Regan Grace, Jonny Lomax, Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Luke Thompson, Zeb Taia, Dominique Peyroux, Morgan Knowles.

Bench: Joseph Paulo, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Kyle Amor, Jack Ashworth.

There can rarely have been a final, in any sport, where first is playing second but one team is such an overwhelming favourite.

Warrington, without their leading try scorer, mercurial Australian stand-off Blake Austin, can be found at 11/4. Considering there are only teams in this final that is remarkable.

However, the Wire only have to look at their own defeat in this very fixture last year to banish the idea that this is an impossible task. Although Steve Price might not want to bring up the 14-20 defeat to Catalans Dragons it could provide some inspiration.

For Justin Holbrook and Saints it is time to deliver. The team were runaway leaders last year in the league and looking good in this competition but ended the season empty handed. With the St Helens coach back off to his native Australia at the end of the season his window for success is closing. It helps that prop Alex Walmsley, hooker James Roby and full-back Lachlan Coote are all back after they missed the recent league win at Leeds.

Both teams will be named shortly and then we will see if the Wire can make this interesting. Let’s hope so.