Pre-Match Interview | Joel Farrell | Swinton Lions (A)

13/03/2026

By Spencer Arnold

Sheffield Eagles captain Joel Farrell is relishing another opportunity to compete in the 1895 Cup this year as the Eagles prepare to face Swinton Lions this Sunday in the Preliminary Round of the competition (3pm KO).

The Eagles head into the tie in strong form after winning all four of their Betfred Championship fixtures so far this season. However, the Eagles captain believes there is still more to come from the side, admitting the team have started well despite not yet getting out of first gear.

“It's been a great start to the league, we’re four out of four at the minute, we’re going alright and we’re building every week,” said Farrell.

“We’re nowhere near the finished product yet, but what we have shown is that we can work hard, we can defend our line, and we can do the tough stuff in our games, which is good.

“I think we just need to sharpen up, and as the grounds get faster, more space will open, and we can show what we can do with the ball. But for now, we just must show we can get through these games and get the wins.”

“Over the course of the season so far, we’ve shown that we can defend, we’ve got each other’s backs in defence. If someone misses a tackle, someone will make it; if someone breaks, someone will chase it. So, we know, we’ve got that in the bank."

Sheffield Eagles have a strong connection with the 1895 Cup, and Farrell knows firsthand what the competition means. The club celebrated a memorable victory at Wembley Stadium in 2019 against Widnes Vikings, before finishing as runners-up to Wakefield Trinity in 2024. With so many moments already etched in recent seasons, the Eagles skipper is excited to see what the team can achieve in this year’s tournament.

“Obviously, winning the cup in 2019 was outstanding. I look back on it now, and it was the best single game I think I've had in my life,” he added.

“We went into that game as underdogs against a full-time Widnes side and managed to get the win. Just thinking back on it now, Anthony Thackerey sprinting down the field after a 1-on-1, Cory Makelim tearing them up as well and Josh Guzdek throwing offloads everywhere, it was just a great experience.

“The night afterwards too was a great experience, just having everyone's family around, and what the cup brings out was special.

“Even the 2024 one, obviously, we didn't get the result we wanted against a good Wakefield side that was ready for Super League, but still, we got to Wembley, we got to experience it, and we made memories with a special group of people. So, I'll always look back on them fondly, whether we win or lose.”

“It's always good to go on a good cup run; it brings a new spark to the season. If you’re hitting a low spot elsewhere in the season, the cup perks you back up because it’s eighty minutes of seeing who’s better on the day; form doesn’t matter.”

“The cup is always good to play in, especially the 1895; it’s been a good cup for us in the past, so it will be nice to start another year’s journey.”

Swinton Lions are the Eagles’ opponents this weekend as the team begins its 1895 Cup campaign in the Preliminary Round under the competition’s revised format. Although the Lions are currently without a win from their opening six Betfred Championship matches, Farrell insists the Eagles cannot afford to underestimate their hosts.

“Swinton are still without a win this year, but they can still be dangerous. Everyone’s dangerous on their day, so we’ve got to turn up, we’ve got to respect our opponents, we’ve got to come with the right mindset, and we’ve got to concentrate for eighty minutes.

“If you start getting loose and sloppy, people will take advantage of it. Every team in this league is a good team, so we don’t want to be the ones to trip up and lose the game.

“For me personally, I'm just looking to keep working hard and keep improving, so as a collective and as an individual, we just need to get better every week.”