The medical report from the Challenge Cup quarter-final stage is in, and a number of teams, including St Helens, are set to be without some key men due to knocks picked up.
St Helens, Hull KR, Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors all progressed through to the semi-finals with the last four draw being conducted on Sunday afternoon.
Conducted by Chris Kamara and Jamie Peacock, the semi-final draw puts together local rivals Saints and Wigan, whilst the Robins will take on Warrington in a repeat of last year’s Wembley final.
However, some players who featured in the last eight are set to be out on the sidelines for the semi-finals, and even the final depending on the severity.
Starting with the Friday night fixture, Paul Rowley’s Saints secured a hefty win over Catalans, but it came at a cost with two of their players picking up pretty serious injuries.
Forward Jake Wingfield has a suspected ACL injury, with the Saints boss believing that to be the case post-match, whilst winger Lewis Murphy has seemingly dislocated his shoulder after an awkward tackle involving Dragons winger Nick Cotric.
Catalans came through the game unscathed, but they do have a key forward sweating the disciplinary panel this week.
Hull KR also won comfortably, but Willie Peters’ concern will be with Dean Hadley, who left the field at half-time against York Knights and didn’t return.
The Robins were cautious with the forward, who suffered an eye injury in the World Club Challenge back in February and it is a flare up of that which forced him to only play half a game.
Captain Elliot Minchella was a name not on this week’s team sheet, the former Leeds and Bradford man’s hamstring was the reason for his absence, but he should be back in the side this week.
York’s Denive Balmforth had a minor ankle injury, with Mark Applegarth revealing post-match they were aware they needed him next week as well so didn’t put any unnecessary pressure on the 22-year-old’s niggle.
Leigh Leopards star Umyla Hanley only lasted around 20 minutes on return from injury. The 2025 Dream Team centre has been out with a shoulder issue for the opening part of 2026, but it is now his opposite shoulder, with the same issue, that is the problem.
Tesi Niu also picked up a sternum injury, but Adrian Lam is confident the centre will be able to play next week.
Warrington also picked up a few bumps and bruises in that win over the Leopards. Luke Yates left the field early in the game with a “neck and shoulder issue”, per Sam Burgess. Yates was another making his comeback this week.
Cai Taylor-Wray suffered a hand injury early in the game, but the Warrington boss praised him for seeing out the full 80. Wire will be without Josh Smith for the next two to three weeks after a minor injury picked up in training.
Finally, Wigan’s win over Wakefield had more disciplinary concerns than injury concerns, but Trinity full-back Max Jowitt was someone who was visibly struggling towards the end of the game.
Unable to be on the end of some Wakefield half-breaks, the home side were chasing the game at that point and who knows what could have happened if a fit Jowitt was able to be in support, as he so often is for Daryl Powell’s side.
