By Ray French BBC Sport rugby league commentator

Saints or Wigan for the Cup? Have your say

All roads lead to Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh on Saturday as league fans trek north to watch Wigan and St Helens do battle for the Challenge Cup Final.

But, for over 100 years, Scotsmen have been taking the same roads south to play their part in raising the profile of the 13-a-side code's most prestigious event.

Even though many were forced by the rugby union authorities to look upon their journey as one of exile from friends left behind at local union clubs in Kelso, Hawick, Melrose and Gala.

Tait saw his hopes ended by Wigan

Many Scots have lit up a wintry afternoon in the 1950s and the 60s with their stylish play in the earlier rounds of the Challenge Cup.

Salford's Hugh Duffy, Wigan's Brian Shillinglaw, Halifax's international loose forward, Charlie Renilson, and Leeds' duo Drew Turnbull and David Rose to name but a few.

But only a handful of Scotsmen have graced a final since a Melrose forward, J Moffat, grabbed a try for Oldham in their clash with Hunslet in 1899.

Former Heriot's back star, Roy Kinnear - the father of the once much loved TV comedy actor of the same name - had the distinction of scoring a try on his professional debut.

That was for Wigan in an early round of the Challenge Cup in February 1927 against local amateur opposition, Pemberton.

And he exceeded his own expectations when, two years later, in the first ever cup final at Wembley, his try helped Wigan to a 13-2 victory over Dewsbury.

Huddersfield skipper Alex Fiddes continued the tradition of Scotsmen scoring Challenge Cup final tries when he touched down in 1935 against Castleford.

No such luck for ex-Hawick and Great Britain forward Dave Valentine when he too donned a Huddersfield jersey 18 years later.

Martin Offiah denied Alan Tait a winner's medal

He did, however, unlike Fiddes, receive a winner's medal for his efforts.

Flying Scots George Wilson and Ron Cowan in 1952 and '71 both wrote their names in the history books when they lined up at Wembley for Workington Town and Leeds.

Ex-Kelso RU club full-back George Fairbairn failed so narrowly to grab a winner's medal.

Sadly for George - originally a capture from the Borders by Wigan in 1974 - he and his Hull KR side were pipped in an exciting 15-14 defeat by Castleford in '86.

And the latest Scotsman to taste defeat in a Challenge Cup final?

None other than dual international Widnes and Leeds full-back Alan Tait, now the defensive coach to the Scotland rugby union side.

In 1994, he proved to be the luckless, last line of defence when Wigan's try-scoring machine, Martin Offiah swept past for two tries and a 26-16 win.

Professionalism in union has dramatically reduced the number of Scotsmen crossing the border to find fame and fortune in league.

Who's next?

However, the rapid development in the 13-a-side code in Scotland should ensure that they continue to play their part in the Challenge Cup tournament.

Over 50 schools are now tasting league for the first time in Glasgow, with a national league of eight amateur clubs now in operation.

There are representative teams at Under 19s, Students, and Open Age levels competing in Home Nations tournaments.

With that sort of set-up who knows who will be the next to follow Moffat, Kinnear, Fiddes, and Tait onto league's centre stage?

Possibly a youngster from the Glasgow and Edinburgh Schools Under 11s teams who will entertain the Murrayfield crowd with a pre-Cup Final curtain raiser.

Talent scouts take note!