The Giants enter the Challenge Cup at the sixth round stage away at Leeds Rhinos on Saturday, does knockout rugby prompt a different approach to the game?

It is not really a different approach, but the cup being a knockout means you simply have to go out there and win.

Our attention has to be on doing what we are good at, and focusing on what we want to achieve.

It takes four victories to win the Challenge Cup and what we have to concentrate on is putting in the three performances that will get us to Wembley for the final.

Any side can beat any other side as the results have already shown this season.

So, while it might seem only a few games, it is still a long road to reach Wembley.

Having reached the final as a player, how much of an achievement would it be to go there as a coach?

My first final (for Bradford Bulls in their 24-18 win over Leeds in 2000 at Murrayfield) was in the first game played away from Wembley.

Then I played in the last final (for St Helens in the 42-12 win over the Giants at Twickenham in 2006) before the Cup returned to north London after Wembley had re-opened.

I went with the club for the trip in 2009 against Warrington when Nathan (Brown) was coach, but I really would like to return to Wembley as a coach and with this famous old club.

After drawing 24-24 at home to Leeds in Super League a fortnight ago, the Giants have beaten Salford 19-0 while the Rhinos slipped to a 38-24 defeat at Widnes. Does the league formbook count before a cup game?

You can talk about Super League and momentum but the cup is what it is.

There is no point talking about last week or next week, we have to focus on winning.

As for the Leeds result at Widnes, all you can say is that St Helens are the only away team to have won on that pitch.

I know that Macca (Leeds head coach Brian McDermott) rotated his squad for that game, but I certainly expect to see a full-strength Leeds side on the field on Saturday.

Giants Head of Youth Development Andy Kelly, plus young players Liam Johnson and Matty English, are out in France on international duty with the England Academy in Carcasonne on Saturday. Do you see this as another feather in the cap for the club?

Andy has been with the club a little while now and has been working hard to put the fundamentals in place.

But he is now getting things the way he wants with the youth set-up.

Becoming an England coach has always got to be a good thing and it is real kudos for the club.

And to have a couple of players in there is certainly good for the Giants as well.

Liam was involved with the England side last year, so is doing well.

For Matty to be in there in his first year is great testament to the effort he has put in.

He really is the pack leader for our 19s side – he is such a good player.

So things are looking bright for our kids.

The HGSA column will appear in tomorrow’s Examiner Sport.