Roberts aims to add to Challenge Cup happy memories

Wheelchair Challenge Cup Final - Wigan Warriors v Catalans Dragons

Venue: English Institute of Sport, Sheffield Date: Saturday 1 June Time: 13:30 BST

Coverage: Watch live on BBC Sport website, iPlayer and app.

As a Wigan supporter, Declan Roberts has plenty of Challenge Cup memories.

He has experienced the highs, like Joel Tomkins' try against Leeds which helped the Warriors lift the trophy in 2011, and lows such as the 32-16 defeat by St Helens in Cardiff 20 years ago.

But the 26-year-old now has a chance to be part of the competition's history himself when he captains the Warriors in Saturday's Wheelchair Challenge Cup final against holders Catalans Dragons in Sheffield.

"Growing up as a fan, I've been there when we've won and when we've lost," he tells BBC Sport.

"The Challenge Cup is the biggest rugby league competition in the world – the upsets, the drama, the rivalries, everything is amazing about it and to be given the chance to play in a final in a sport that is growing all the time will be spectacular.

"We want to make the most of it and enjoy the occasion but when it starts, get stuck in like any other game."

The Warriors triumphed in last season's Super League Grand Final, beating the Leeds Rhinos for their first major domestic trophy - and they defeated the Rhinos again in mid-May to book their place in their first Challenge Cup final.

But Catalans, comfortable winners over Leeds in last year's final, are formidable opponents and beat Wigan 68-28 in April's European Wheelchair Rugby League Club Championship game.

Roberts, part of England's World Cup-winning squad along with Warriors team-mate Adam Rigby, believes his side can learn from that loss.

"Catalans have been the best domestic side in the world for the last 10 years or so, but we have shown that we can compete and we are confident that we have a chance of winning," he adds.

"Last time they had to resort to kicking early and long and move away from their usual gameplan, which isn't a bad thing.

"We know what we need to work on and we will get chances, so it is about executing and taking advantage."

Saturday's game, which comes a week before the club's appearance in the men's Challenge Cup at Wembley against Warrington Wolves, will be particularly special for Roberts, whose father Phil and younger brother Nathan are also part of the Warriors squad.

Roberts took up the game in 2013 as a way of being able to play alongside Phil, who is a wheelchair user and coached the Warriors before Chris Greenhalgh took over early last year, and is also the Ireland coach.

Nathan joined in three years ago and played with the reserves before moving up to the first team this season, meaning all three members of the family could potentially be on court together at the English Institute of Sport.

"Being able to play in these huge games for the club we have have grown up supporting is special, but to be able to do it with my dad and my brother is something I will never take for granted," says Roberts.

"It has given me memories that will last forever, but it is also nice that more people are enjoying the sport we love and seeing how good it is."