By Phil Gordos BBC Sport Online, Murrayfield

Kris Radlinski says he owes a huge debt of gratitude to Wigan coach Stuart Raper after being named Lance Todd Trophy winner in Saturday's shock Challenge Cup win over St Helens.

The Great Britain full-back was close to missing the Murrayfield showpiece after suffering a blood infection in his right foot.

After several days in hospital where he was placed on a drip, he was given the green light to play just 90 minutes before kick-off.

But the decision to unleash him against Saints paid off handsomely.

Radlinski hold aloft the Challenge Cup trophy

Radlinski was an inspiration to his team-mates, coming up with several try-saving tackles and playing a key role in the first of Wigan's three touchdowns.

"Stuart Raper put faith in me," said the 26-year-old hero.

"If he had turned round and told me I wasn't playing, I would have had no arguments.

"But he asked me the question and I said 'Yes'. I will never forget that."

An exhausted and emotionally drained Radlinski struggled to put into words just what a first Lance Todd Trophy award meant to him.

"I don't know what I feel at the moment. I feel a bit weak," he said in the immediate aftermath of the 21-12 success in Edinburgh.

"They have pumped some antibiotics into me this week and I have probably not eaten as well as I should.

"I am tired but the boys dug deep for me."