TWELVE months ago, when Castleford faced Leeds in the Challenge Cup final, James Clare was the grumpiest man at Wembley.

The Bulls winger had been left out of Daryl Powell’s team after Justin Carney returned to the side following a two-match ban.

Clare had performed well in Carney’s absence, helping his hometown club to a comprehensive semi-final win over Widnes and impressing again in a Super League trip to Warrington the week before Wembley.

Still, it was not enough.

When Powell picked his side to face the Rhinos, Carney reclaimed his left-wing berth and Kirk Dixon lined up on the right flank.

“I was probably the most miserable man in the world on the weekend of the Challenge Cup final,” said Clare.

“I really wanted to play and felt like I’d done everything to be selected, but I look back now and I know I gave everything I could to try and force Daryl’s hand.

“Justin Carney had just picked up a ban, so I had a run of games in the team leading up to the final.

“But Justin is one of those players, and I don’t know if he’s still a Castleford player or not, whereby you’ve almost got to pick him.

“Even though he makes one or two errors, he will do things that nobody else can and create something special. I’d have probably have picked Justin as well to be quite honest.”

Clare had been optimistic earlier in the week that he might get the nod to start.

He explained: “I’d played against Widnes in the semi-final and then had a fairly good game against Warrington in the game before the final when we rested a few players.

“I was hoping that would put me in good stead to be in the team and Daryl had a chat with me earlier in the week and said he genuinely didn’t know what he was going to do at the time.

“He said it was a 50-50 call and that he wanted to pick me, Justin and Kirk Dixon.

“He let me know later in the week to my disappointment, but I completely respected his decision because he gave me the best possible chance and did everything I could.”

Despite his disappointment at not actually playing, Clare has fond memories of being part of the squad at Wembley.

“Words cannot describe it because it was one of the best experiences of my life so far,” he said.

“Even though I wasn’t great company around the lads, the togetherness of the group stood out.

“We had a 20-minute meeting where friends and family had recorded messages that were played to us.

“That was fantastic because you could see how much it meant to not only to your own family members but to the families of your team-mates as well.”

Leeds are favourites to retain the famous old trophy today but Clare is adamant that Hull KR can cause a major upset.

“They definitely can,” he said.

“Leeds have got the golden generation but they have only managed to win one of their last seven Challenge Cup finals.

“They have lost the other six and any team can win on the day. With the likes of Albert Kelly and Josh Mantellato, Hull KR have big-game experience.”

Bulls chairman Marc Green spoke earlier this year of his determination to lead the club out at Wembley in a Challenge Cup final.

Clare said: “Bradford have got a history of such great success in the Super League and Challenge Cup.

“It would be great to get those days back and belief is certainly growing that we can win promotion this season.”