Acting Castleford captain Ryan McGoldrick admits he has become gripped by Challenge Cup fever after initially underestimating the importance of the century-old competition.

The 28-year-old Australian utility player has dubbed Sunday's quarter-final at Huddersfield as one of the biggest matches of his career and is hoping to lead the Tigers all the way to Wembley in his fourth season in Super League.

"When I came over here in 2006 we got knocked out by Widnes," said McGoldrick. "I probably didn't realise how special the Challenge Cup was that year and that was a big mistake in my thinking.

"It's a massive competition. A lot of the fans and the public rate the Challenge Cup better than the league.

"From that moment in 2006 it hit home and I've been trying to stress that to the overseas blokes this year. A knockout competition like this is unique."

It is seven years since Castleford were last in the semi-finals and 23 years since they last lifted the famous knockout trophy at Wembley.

McGoldrick, who will lead the side in the absence of the injured Ryan Hudson, knows they will need to improve on their last cup performance, when they needed extra time to defeat Halifax, if they are to get past their Super League rivals.

"Most people will say we've had an easy draw to get to this stage, even if the Halifax game didn't show it," he said.

"The fans have been coming up to me saying how excited they are. Castleford is a rugby league town and for us to go any further in the competition would send the town absolutely berserk."

McGoldrick is back in the Tigers team after missing last week's 16-6 League defeat at Hull KR with a stomach muscle injury and Huddersfield hope to be bolstered by the return of their inspirational leader.

Australian full-back Brett Hodgson is desperate to face Castleford after sitting out the fifth-round win over Rochdale and the last two League games with a leg injury.

"It's everyone's dream to play in a Challenge Cup final and, although we have to stick to the age-old adage of taking one game at a time, we know how close we would be to a Wembley appearance should we beat the Tigers," said Hodgson.

"That's what makes this tie so important and we're confident that, if we can build on last week's great display against Wakefield, that our cup run can continue.

"And, as captain of Huddersfield Giants, that would make me very proud indeed."