Hull KR and Wigan Warriors rotation options assessed amid disciplinary concerns ahead of Challenge Cup Final

Hull KR and Wigan Warriors will meet at Wembley next week to battle it out to be crowned this year’s Challenge Cup winners. 

Before that though, the pair will face off in the regular league season, with Craven Park not only playing host to the Wembley rehearsal, but to one of the biggest games of the 2026 campaign.

In what will be a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, KR and Wigan go head-to-head in another eagerly anticipated contest, and a game that cannot be underestimated in it’s importance.

That being said, the Challenge Cup Final will obviously take priority, which means some players could potentially be rested in order to secure their availability for the big dance in London.

Key personnel from both sides are almost at the threshold for receiving a ban, and in an attempt to nullify any risk of a charge being handed out ahead of the Final, coaches may decide to rest players.

With that in mind, here are some players from each team that could potentially sit out this week due to their disciplinary points or otherwise.

It must be said that neither team have confirmed they will sit down players, and will make whatever decision is best for the team.

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Hull KR and Wigan Warriors rotation options ahead of Wembley showdown

Hull KR rotation options:

Karl Lawton is expected to sit out this week, given he is just one Grade A charge away from a one match suspension. Lawton was handed 21 disciplinary points for his Grade E challenge against Huddersfield Giants back in March, meaning he goes into this week with 5.25 penalty points. Any charge would take him over the threshold, meaning he would miss Wembley if he picks up a ban. Bill Leyland could come onto the bench to spell Jez Litten in the nine position.

Regardless of how bad his injury comes back to be, one man you’d expect not to feature this week is Arthur Mourgue. The Frenchman only returned to the side at the weekend against Leigh, but after potentially re-injuring himself, Peters doesn’t need to risk him given how well they have played with Jack Broadbent at full-back.

Joe Burgess could be another to drop out of the side, with Noah Booth offered the opportunity to feature against the Warriors.

The likes of Jack Brown and Jordan Dezaria could be utilised this week, as Willie Peters looks to rest some of his forwards for what will be a physical contest at Wembley. Sauaso Sue, Elliot Minchella, Dean Hadley and Jai Whitbread have played in every game bar one this year, so could be in line for a break given KR don’t have any weeks off for the rest of the season.

Wigan Warriors rotation options:

Despite only just returning from suspension, half-back Harry Smith is another on the verge of a ban, so playing him would be a big risk given that if he does anything that upsets the disciplinary committee, he will be out of the Final.

On the flip side, not playing Smith in this game is equally as risky, given that 17-year-old George Marsden would come in to play just his second game at senior level, and what a huge one it would be.

Sam Walters is in a similar boat to Smith, with the pair both on 4.5 points. That would mean a Grade B charge or more would see them sidelined at Wembley. However, with Sam Eseh injured and set to miss this week, can Matt Peet afford to rest another prop when they are already light in the pack?

Hooker Brad O’Neill is also just one Grade B charge away from a ban, with the England hopeful sitting on 3.5 points. Grade B charges carry three penalty points, meaning he would go over the 6-point limit should he get one of those. Tom Forber, who played in the 2024 Grand Final against KR, could come in, with Taylor Kerr keeping his place on the bench.