1895 Cup: Oldham v Halifax Panthers LIVE

All eyes will be on Greg Eden, the former Castleford Tigers ace, who will be making his competitive debut.

And here is how Finn's side lines up for this afternoon's contest:

Woodburn-Hall, Eden, Crooks, Tibbs, McComb, Jouffret, Keyes, Fairbank, Kavanagh, Gee, Murray, O’Brien, Lannon

Interchanges: Inman, Tangata, Larroyer, C Davies, O Davies

Liam Finn, ahead of his first competitive game as head coach, is certainly under no illusion of how tough today's test will be. Read his pre-match thoughts here:

https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/halifax-panthers-aiming-to-replicate-wembley-success-as-defence-of-1895-cup-begins-with-big-hurdle-at-oldham-4489126

They maybe in League 1, a division below Halifax, but Oldham, led by former St Helens stalwart Sean Long, have significantly strengthened ahead of this new campaign.

Can they do it again this year? The format has changed, with seven groups of three competing for top spot and a best second placed finish. Fax are in Group 4 with Rochdale and today's hosts Oldham.

What a day that was last year! Saturday, August 12, 2023. A date etched into the memories of all Fax fans. Their first ever trip to the new Wembley. Their first visit to the national stadium since 1988. And to cap it off, a thrilling 12-10 victory over Batley Bulldogs to secure the 1895 Cup.

Hello, good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Boundary Park, the home of Oldham RLFC and the scene of the first steps for Halifax Panthers in their attempted defence of the 1895 Cup.