For a sport that has sometimes been all too eager to embrace change, rugby league has never lost sight of the importance of tradition. As seismic as the switch to summer rugby in 1996 after a century of passing and tackling in cold winter mud was, league has managed to stay true to most of the values it holds dear.

The new national stadium continues to provide a fitting backdrop for one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, just as the old Wembley did when it hosted the Challenge Cup final for the last time in 1999. London Broncos went into the final against Leeds Rhinos as massive underdogs but for almost an hour they held their own against a Leeds team with a far superior pedigree. The presence of Shaun Edwards and Martin Offiah had a profound impact on London, who trailed by just two points at half-time.

However, Leeds cut loose in the second half to win at a canter. The Rhinos’ 52-16 victory was the biggest at Wembley in the competition’s history, their points total the highest in a Challenge Cup final, their nine tries equalled Huddersfield’s record set in 1915 and Leroy Rivett became the first player to score four tries in a final.

1 Iestyn Harris The Leeds captain delivered a fine performance that featured eight goals from full-back. A stylish, attacking stand-off by trade, Harris was given a new lease of life at full-back by the Rhinos’ Australian coach Graham Murray. Two years later he switched codes to join Cardiff but after gaining 25 caps he returned to league with Bradford Bulls, where he is in his final season before retirement

2 Leroy Rivett Leicester-born Rivett stood just 5ft 8in but delivered a towering performance. His four-try haul earned him a £30,000 bonus and the loan of an £80,000 Ferrari 355 from a sponsor. Unfortunately for Rivett, the car was borrowed by a friend without permission and written off. In 2006, he was cleared of being involved in an £800,000 cannabis-smuggling ring. He plays for National League Two club Rochdale Hornets

3 Barrie McDermott After losing an eye in an accident with an air rifle as a youth in Oldham, McDermott saw his ambitions to join the Army dashed and turned to rugby league, where his warrior spirit as a rumbustious front row earned him the respect of most opponents. Combines a role with Leeds as community sales executive with work as a television commentator

4 Marc Glanville A popular signing from Australia, Glanville never gave less than 100%. A nonexecutive director of Newcastle Knights, he works in real estate

5 Lee Jackson Former Sheffield and Hull hooker Jackson played in Newcastle Knights’ Australian Grand Final-winning team in 1997. Returned to Hull in 2000 before ending his career at York. Drives a black cab in Hull

6 Jamie Mathiou Mathiou was an important part of the Rhinos’ pack for five years following his move from North Queensland Cowboys in 1997. Currently coaching junior club Bilambil Jets in Queensland

7 Francis Cummins An England schoolboy international at 15, Cummins was the youngest player to play in a Challenge Cup final when he lined up aged just 17 years and 200 days in the Leeds team beaten by Wigan at Wembley in 1994. Is the seventh highest try-scorer in Rhinos’ history with 188 tries in 12 seasons as a player. After retiring he joined the club’s coaching staff and is assistant to head coach Brian McClennan

8 Adrian Morley Morley established himself as one of the greats during five seasons at Headingley before joining Australian club Sydney Roosters. Proved just as successful Down Under where he was regaled with the song, ‘When you’re down on your ass, with a face full of grass, that’s a Morley’ by adoring Aussie fans. Joined Warrington last year, where he is club captain

9 Ryan Sheridan Another former Sheffield player, Sheridan kept Leeds in the final with two try-saving tackles in the first half and was an imposing presence following the half-time break. Left Leeds to join Widnes before retiring at Dewsbury Rams last year. Now promoting a tackle shield training aid that he invented in 2007

10 Terry Newton A hooker whose aggressive approach continues to bring him into regular contact with the sport’s disciplinary chiefs. Shared the hooking role with Lee Jackson in the final. First-choice hooker for Bradford Bulls and almost certain to feature in England’s plans for the World Cup in Australia this autumn

11 Anthony Farrell A Yorkshire forward who rarely took a backward step, Farrell played for Huddersfield, Sheffield, Widnes and Halifax as well as Leeds. Coached Halifax from 2004 to 2006 and now works as a fitness coach with the prison service

Richie Blackmore A strong centre, Blackmore joined Leeds from Castleford Tigers and established himself as one of the club’s most successful Kiwi signings. He helped set up two of Rivett’s four tries. Retired at the end of the 2000 season to return to New Zealand, where he works as a rugby league community development officer in Auckland

Brad Godden A strong Australian three-quarter, Godden joined Leeds in 1998. Scored nine tries in his first season. Was a strong influence in the Leeds team that reached the inaugural Super League Grand Final in 1998. Returned to Australia in 2000 and now works in real estate

Daryl Powell Powell moved to Headingley for £10,000 in 1998 after three seasons with Keighley Cougars, who paid 10 times that amount to secure his services from Sheffield Eagles three years earlier. Became head coach at Leeds in 2000 and was made director of rugby following the appointment of Tony Smith in 2003. Was appointed head coach of Leeds Tykes in 2006 but stepped down following their relegation. Now works as assistant skills and backs coach with Leeds Carnegie

Darren Fleary A pocket battleship of a prop, Fleary was another player to join Leeds following the collapse of Keighley in 1997. Made 127 appearances for Leeds before leaving to join Huddersfield Giants in 2003. Works in the prison service running the gym at Armley Jail in Leeds Marcus St Hilaire A full-back who came off the bench, St Hilaire scored a try in the second half. Finished his career with Bradford Bulls in 2007 and became a fireman Andy Hay Hay joined Leeds from Sheffield Eagles. Runs a bistro and coffee bar in Leeds and is assistant coach at Castleford Tigers

ESPN Classic, Sky channel 442, will show the 1985 Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Hull at 9pm today and the 1996 final between St Helens and Bradford at 9.30pm

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