Leeds Rhinos, St Helens, Hull KR, Leigh Leopards, Halifax Panthers and Batley Bulldogs are all headed to Wembley on Saturday as part of a triple header of finals but undoubtedly the main event is the men’s Challenge Cup Final between Hull KR and Leigh after they defeated Wigan Warriors and St Helens to book their place in the decider.
In some ways this is a generational final as it is the first Challenge Cup Final without Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves or St Helens since 1986.
That say Hull KR lost to Castleford Tigers in the first year of what has become a near 40 year wait for a major trophy since 1985.
Their wait for the Challenge Cup trophy is even longer beginning in 1980 and reaching a low when they lost the 2015 final to Leeds Rhinos in record breaking fashion losing 50-0.
As they aim to right that wrong, the Robins have named their 21 man squad for the decider today.
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.
Here is the squad:
Here's your Challenge Cup Final SQUAD. 🫡🏆#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/mth0zwMZRz
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) August 10, 2023
Warrington Wolves
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