Though Leigh Leopards and Hull KR are the most talked about teams headed to Wembley Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs are all headed to London as well for a triple header of finals.
Leeds and Saints will kick the action off with the women’s Grand Final but the stars for the Rhinos in that game won’t be the only representatives of the club at Wembley.
In the 1895 Cup Final fullback Luke Hooley is set to feature after being named in the 21-man squad by the Batley Bulldogs.
Hooley played for Leeds against Leigh Leopards last week and looked very accomplished at the back.
Funnily enough his two appearances for Leeds have come against the Challenge Cup Finalists.
It was a must that Hooley played for Leeds last week given the injury to Richie Myler however many believed that would end his hopes of playing in the final due to the rules around loaning players.
However, during the season Leeds agreed a dual registration with Batley over Hooley allowing him to switch between the two teams.
This means Hooley will get a great moment at Wembley and can see the season out at Headingley.
Yesterday Leigh and Hull KR also named their squads.
Leigh have former cup winners Tom Briscoe, Zak Hardaker, Josh Charnley and Ava Seumanufagai in their squad.
The main absentee is of course injured star Ricky Leutele and Oliver Gildart is not permitted to replace him against his future club due to registration rules.
The Leopards haven’t named a full squad instead naming 20 players.
Ladies and Gents…Your Leopards Challenge Cup Final Squad. 🔥🐆🔥#betheroar #leythers pic.twitter.com/tzG0ib051T
— Leigh Leopards (@LeighLeopardsRL) August 10, 2023
Hull KR have also named their squad.
This has left Willie Peters with a big call to make. Although Jordan Abdull is injured, Peters has a choice between Mikey Lewis, Rowan Milnes and Brad Schneider for the two halfback positions.
There is a chance Lewis could start at fullback but for the semi-final the original plan was to play Ethan Ryan there.
However, he didn’t do to a massive change around caused by Ryan Hall. Hall stands a chance of featuring despite his recent calf injury.
He was supposed to play on the left wing against Wigan Warriors in the semi-final at Headingley but at the 11th hour he pulled out.
Just a matter of weeks removed from that game, Hall could make his first appearance since the Robins beat his former club Leeds at Headingley in Golden Point.
With the Rhinos Hall won two Challenge Cup Finals and lost three finals. He scored in both the 2011 and 2014 finals.
In fact, in the 2014 final he scored one of the most famous Challenge Cup Final tries powering over Andrew Dixon and this helped him secure the Man of the Match.
Interestingly, he and Rovers assistant Danny McGuire both played for Leeds against Hull KR in that 2015 final.
It is a big call from Willie Peters to bring him back in the fold weeks after his last game but if any man can step up to the plate it’s Hall.
