Brothers at war for big Perpignan Cup battle

Sheffield Eagles hooker Andrew Henderson is hoping to secure family bragging rights in Perpignan on Saturday April 28 (5.30pm) by leading the Championship club to victory over younger brother Ian and his Catalan Dragons side in a Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round tie.

The Eagles have been in great form so far this season and Henderson has been a key figure but the Scotland international knows they will face their toughest test of the season so far as they aim to overturn a high-flying Catalan side on their home patch.

“We played well against York in the last round so it was great to get through and have our name in the hat for the fifth round,” said Henderson. “We’ve been working a lot on our attacking shape this season and we’ve been high scoring so far, but the worrying aspect for us is that we’ve been conceding too many points in defence.

“That’s something we’re going to have to rectify quickly if we’re going to stand a chance against Catalan. They’ll test us like we’ve never been tested before and they have strike players all over the pitch so we’ll have to be very clever. But we’re going out there in a positive frame of mind and we’re confident we can put in a big performance on the pitch.”

Sheffield are currently riding high in the Co-operative Championship and will be hoping to build on their Grand Final defeat to Featherstone Rovers last season but Henderson says victory over Catalan and brother Ian in the Challenge Cup would be extra special.

“Ian was over here last week and we’ve had a bit of banter about the game,” he said. “We’re both very pleased with the draw we got and it’s great to have that sibling rivalry as it adds another element to the game for me personally.

“To test yourself against your brother and some of the best players in the world is a great opportunity and one I’m looking forward to. Our other brother Kevin will also be there watching in the stands so it will be great to see all the family again, but on the pitch we’ll be determined to out-do each other.

“It would be outstanding for us to progress and I’d certainly enjoy having the family bragging rights. It will be a tough ask but you never say never in the Cup because anything can happen and we know if we play to our best then we can put ourselves in a good position and come away with our heads held high.

“Leigh ran them close in the Cup last year and if we can stay strong defensively then we have every chance of sneaking an upset. The club and the players are excited and we’re all looking forward to what promises to be a great weekend.”

Tickets for the 2012 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 25 cost from just £21 and are now on sale. Family tickets giving access to one of British sport’s most historic fixtures to two adults and two children are also available, priced £55 or £79.

To purchase tickets please call the RFL Ticket Office on 0844 856 1113 or visit www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk