Hopkins ready to lead London in Cup

London will tackle Leeds at Headingley on Friday night in the Powergen Challenge Cup again without the services of captain Mark McLinden, with Lee Hopkins hoping to lead his men to a semi final berth.

Just like last Friday, the former Parramatta player knows he won?t be alone in battle:

This could well be the biggest game of my career so far. It?s a massive occasion for all of us and we?re ready for it.?

Last week we pulled together well and we?ll have to do the same again on Friday.?

Out there you can feel the camaraderie. It?s a powerful thing when we?re all working together, for each other, for the same outcome. It?s a special feeling.?

We?ve trained well and we?re ready to perform.?

Mc Linden, who missed last week?s away draw at St Helens, is still to reach full fitness.

Tony Rea commented: ?He?s (Mark) about 90% and we needed him at 100% so that?s why he won?t be out there.?

Rea also knows his team needs to improve on last week: ?It?s a good challenge and we?ve got to get better.?

Leeds are a good team, they are well coached and they deserve everything they have got.?

They are a better team now than last time we played them. We are better too but we are looking to get better.?

The results have been good but the performance against Saints was not real good.?

We were gutsy, determined and very purposeful and I will take that any time. I?m not going to kick them for that but the performance wasn?t that great.?

We are always working hard to improve. That is the challenge."

Friday's game is a repeat of the 1999 Cup Final (52-16), the last to be played at Wembley before it's demolition, and it is also a repeat of the fifth round game in 2003, played at Headingley, also won (21-12) by the Rhinos.

A case of third time lucky this time for London?

Ironically, Headingley was the scene of what many regard the Broncos finest moment, when Steele Retchless (the club's longest serving player) sealed a last ditch victory against Castleford to take his team to its first ever Cup Final.

Will Headingley also be remembered for helping the Broncos on their way to a second Cup Final?

Cup runs:

Leeds: 4th rnd W26-22 v Warrington (H), 5th rnd W70-0 v Pia (H)

London: 4th rnd W70-4 v Hunslet (A), 5th rnd W26-12 v Salford (A)

Live commentary:

Friday night's game won't be televised but it will be broadcast live across the capital thanks to BBC London 94.9fm.

BBC London's Mark Church commented: "The audience figures have been tremendous and it's great to receive so much good feedback via text and email during the games."

Keep it up. I'm sure the team appreciates it and their form would suggest the same."

The game will also be webcast live across the world on Friday night.

Let them now you're listening via SMS text - 07786 200 949, or email yourlondon@bbc.co.uk This is wonderful exposure for our club!

Broncos Tonight on BBC London 94.9fm will start at 8.30pm (Thursday) and will feature interviews with Jon Wells from the team hotel, Andy Wilson of The Guardian, and The Guv?nor ? London?s man of mystery.

Leeds 19-man squad:

Mathers, Calderwood, Walker, Senior, Bai, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, McDermott, Lauitiiti, McKenna, Sinfield, Dunemann, Ward, Poching, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Scruton, Cummins.

London 18-man squad Armour*, Bradley-Qalilawa, Dorn, Haumono, Highton, Hopkins, Leuluai, Luisi, Mbu, O?Halloran, Purdham, Smith, Stephenson*, Sykes, Tookey, Trindall, Wells, Williams

* Did not play last game

The Broncos are next back at Griffin Park on Sunday 24th July against Huddersfield Giants.