St Helens have waited 13 long years to get their hands on the Challenge Cup. After years of frustration in the competition, the final awaits if they can beat the side they last beat to win the Challenge Cup back in 2008 – Hull FC. The Saints put Hull to the sword last week in the league, but the Black and Whites have recent history in the cup and will be tough to beat.
The bad news for Hull is the injury absence of Joe Cator. Cator has been one of the best loose-forwards in the league this season so his loss will be damaging. It means Jordan Lane will likely take over in the starting line-up leaving a vacancy on the bench. Will young prop Jack Brown take the spot or will Brett Hodgson return to the philosophy he used earlier this year and include a back on the bench.
The Saints have similar issues. Mark Percival has again been derailed by a hamstring issue. If both Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace are fit enough to feature, Percival’s absence shouldn’t be a problem as both Kevin Naiqama and Jack Welsby move to centre. However, if Makinson’s continuing foot problem keeps him out, it could mean Josh Simm is handed a big moment at centre. There’s also worries about Agnatius Paasi’s fitness after he went off injured against Hull last week.
Hull FC
1 Jake Connor
5 Mahe Fonua
3 Carlos Tuimavave
4 Josh Griffin
21 Adam Swift
6 Josh Reynolds
7 Marc Sneyd
10 Chris Satae
9 Danny Houghton
13 Ligi Sao
11 Andre Savelio
12 Manu Ma’u
16 Jordan Lane
Substitutes
14 Jordan Johnstone
17 Brad Fash
20 Jack Brown
22 Josh Bowden
St Helens
1 Lachlan Coote
2 Tommy Makinson
3 Kevin Naiqama
18 Jack Welsby
5 Regan Grace
6 Jonny Lomax
7 Theo Fages
8 Alex Walmsley
9 James Roby
15 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook
11 Joel Thompson
14 Sione Mata’utia
13 Morgan Knowles
Substitutes
16 Kyle Amor
17 Agnatius Paasi
20 Joe Batchelor
21 Lewis Dodd
