LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Zak Hardaker and Tom Briscoe, former Leeds Rhinos players, have found themselves in an unexpected position as they prepare to represent Leigh Leopards in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.
Both players were released by Leeds Rhinos at the end of last season and joined Leigh with the goal of keeping them in Super League.
However, their performances have exceeded expectations, with Leigh currently in third place in the league with only six games remaining.
If they defeat Hull KR in the final, they will make history for Leigh by winning the cup.
Briscoe acknowledges that as players get older, opportunities to play in major finals become fewer, but he remains confident and determined to achieve something with Leigh.
Briscoe's nine-season stay at Headingley came to an end when he was not offered a contract extension, while Hardaker failed to reach an agreement on a new deal after a short-term stint with Leeds last year.
Both players have previously won the Challenge Cup with Leeds in 2014 and 2015 and now have the chance to do it again under different circumstances with Leigh Leopards.