As ever, my ramblings aren't the only way you can keep track of what's going on in the 2021 Challenge Cup final.

Oh no.

At the top of this page are a variety of audio visual links for your perusal. Even if you've not got a TV handy, you can watch live coverage on BBC One or listen to the good folks from BBC Radio 5 Live or local BBC radio, all of which are in position at Wembley.

Lovely stuff.

Image source, Rex Features

Castleford and St Helens may be meeting in a major final for the first time but Tigers boss Daryl Powell already has plenty of final experience.

Powell led the Tigers to the Challenge Cup final in 2014 and oversaw Leeds in the 2003 final.

During his playing career, Powell played for Leeds in two Challenge Cup finals, winning against the London Broncos in 1999 before defeat against Bradford the following year.

It's also the first time that Castleford have reached a final since their defeat by Leeds in 2014, while they have not lifted the trophy since narrowly beating Hull Kingston Rovers in 1986.

Image source, Rex Features

It's the first Challenge Cup final to be played in July since the Rugby Football League announced in 2018 that the showpiece event would move from its previous August bank holiday weekend slot.

That move was meant to happen last year, however, the coronavirus pandemic caused it to be pushed back to October in 2020.

But now we are back and back at Wembley just six days after England lost the Euro 2020 final on penalties.

Who's going to strike it lucky today?

Castlefield captain Michael Shenton on BBC One: "It would be a massive achievement to win.

We know the people who have won it before us and the amazing legacy they have back home. They're held in such high esteem.

"It's something we've talked about, making our own history and our own legacy."

Phil Cartwright: Very efficient getting into the stadium, about 15-20 minutes between stepping off the tube and getting into the ground. Atmosphere outside is great, certainly nothing like those we witnessed last week.

Image source, Phil Cartwright

Image source, Phil Cartwright

St Helens prop Alex Walmsley on BBC One: "It was a tough game and a tough result to take two years ago (losing to Warrington in the final).

"We have the mindset to get the job done this time around.

"We don't feel like favourites. We're playing against a top side in Cas. We might be favourites with the bookies but we know this will be a tough challenge."

Image source, Rex Features

One person who won't be playing for St Helens today is forward Sione Mata'utia.

The 25-year-old misses out through suspension following their Super League fixture with Wakefield last week.

Despite a successful appeal to partly reduce his initial two-game ban, his suspension was subsequently made a one-game ban instead meaning he misses out today.

That decision was met with criticism from Wakefield chief executive Michael Carter, with his ban meaning he misses the chance to face off against his brother Peter who lines up for Castleford today.

Image source, Getty Images

As time ticks down to kick-off at Wembley, why not test your knowledge of St Helens' and Castleford's record in Challenge Cup finals?

We've prepared a quiz charting each year that either of these sides got down to the final two.

You can have a go by clicking here.

It's no secret that it's been a tough time for all of us in the past year or so and we're only now becoming accustomed to hearing fans at sporting events.

Up to 45,000 fans will be in attendance at Wembley today after the Challenge Cup final was included in the government's Events Research Programme, meaning it is exempt from Covid-19 restrictions.

“I’m absolutely delighted that today’s Challenge Cup Final will see the largest crowd at a rugby league match in this country for two years. As its showpiece occasion, I know how much it means to the players to have fans back cheering them on," sports minister Nigel Huddleston said.

“We have worked very closely with the RFL through our Events Research Programme to make sure the final can take place safely and securely.

“This is a big year for rugby league. With less than 100 days to go until the Rugby League World Cup, the prospect of Castleford and St Helens playing in front of 40,000 fans marks the start of the road to recovery for the sport.”

Image source, SWPix.com

Castleford captain Michael Shenton has taken extra precautions ahead of today's Challenge Cup final.

He's shielded his children from school for part of this week to avoid missing the final due to Covid-19.

"I'd be gutted if the kids got hit with track and trace," Shenton said earlier this week.

"They're at an age now, in particular my son Seb who's seven, he's absolutely loving rugby at the minute, he came to the semi-final and he's watching all the games back on Sky, he's watching clips and it's just got him in the mood and along with the Euros football it's taken his interest in sport to a new level."

Image source, Rex Features

St Helens captain James Roby is well aware that the conditions could play their part today as his side bid for their first Challenge Cup victory in 13 years.

The mercury could hit 30 degrees celcius under the Wembley arch today, but Roby is prepared.

"I associate Wembley with hot weather, the Challenge Cup final day always seems to be nice," he told BBC Sport.

"It'll be a challenge for us as players, playing in that heat brings out a few difficulties but it should make it a better occasion.

"There'll be no excuses about skill levels if the ball is nice and dry and it's obviously two good teams with good attack going at each other.

"Hopefully we can showcase rugby league for what it is all about."

Castleford boss Daryl Powell fielded a weakened side last week in their thumping by Salford coming into this game.

He made 12 changes to his 21-man squad ahead of today's final but has no regrets about his choices in a season which has been badly interrupted by Covid-19.

"It's a Sunday into a Saturday Challenge Cup final. That says it all. We wanted to play on Tuesday [last week] which didn't happen and creates a whole host of issues," Powell told BBC Radio Leeds.

"The risk of putting the team out on Sunday, I felt, was too much. I made a decision that that was what I was going to do.

"A couple of the boys wouldn't have been fit anyway so we made conscious decisions on picking those that are. Some decisions are out of our hands but there are some I can make to give us the best possible chance [at Wembley]."

Brian Noble
Ex-Great Britain coach on BBC One

It's a superb occasion and to see fans back is amazing. It's why we love rugby league.

It's baking hot. That'll play a part in the game.

Prior to kick-off in the Challenge Cup, the 1895 Cup final got things warmed up at Wembley.

Featherstone Rovers bested York City Knights 41-34 in a hugely entertaining game with plenty of tries under the arch.

The perfect scene setter on a bumper weekend for British sport.

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC One

This is part of our sport's history.

As a junior player growing up, I just dreamed of playing at Wembley in a Challenge Cup final.

It's a big weekend for sport. There's The Open, the Challenge Cup final and the British Grand Prix to get stuck into.

We would like to know your golf or Formula 1 rugby league puns.

Can you top Greg Birdie? What about Jackson HAAStings? Blake Green? Olly Ashall-Bottas?

Believe it or not, you can do better than these. Let us know using #bbcrl on social media.

St Helens withstood a spirited Hull FC comeback to win their Challenge Cup semi-final 33-18 in June.

Regan Grace ran in a memorable late try for Saints to see them through to today's final.

But can they do it again today?

Jordan Turner scored a hat-trick to send Castleford Tigers into today's Challenge Cup final against St Helens as they sealed a 35-20 victory over Warrington Wolves in the semi-final last month.

Cas coach Daryl Powell is taking over at Warrington at the end of the year but has helped the club reach a first Challenge Cup final since 2014.

Can he sign off with a trophy?

Just in case you missed it..

Actor Ralph Ineson, of The Office and Game of Thrones fame, narrates BBC Sport's TV opener for the Challenge Cup Final between St Helens and Castleford Tigers.

Right then. The sun is out. The posts are up. It's a Challenge Cup final in July.

I'm pretty excited for this one, folks. It's the greatest game and one of British sport's biggest occasions.

Reigning Super League champions St Helens face Castleford Tigers. Who's going to win? Kick-off is on its way.