Challenge Cup final journalist predictions with opinion split on Lance Todd Trophy winner

With Saturday’s Challenge Cup final nearly here, the Serious About Rugby League writers are bringing their predictions for the entire Cup Finals day at Wembley.

Finals day kicks off with Wigan Warriors and St Helens in the women’s match, followed by Hull KR and Warrington Wolves in the men’s final and Featherstone Rovers v York Knights in the 1895 Cup final to round out the day.

It’s rugby league’s annual trip out to Wembley, so will it be the favourites take the wins or will the underdogs rise to the occasion in front of a bumper crowd?

Here are our Serious About Rugby League predictions for the men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals as well as the 1895 Cup final too.

Men’s Challenge Cup Final winners

Will Jackson: Putting it bluntly, I don’t think Hull KR will ever have a better chance to break their 40-year trophy drought. They’re better than Warrington in every area of the field and the league table doesn’t lie in terms of where both of these teams are right now. If they handle the occasion and play their natural game, they should have more than enough to see off Warrington. Sam Burgess’ side deserve their dues and they’re in the final for a reason, but I find it hard to see a way they win this one.

Sian Reed: It’s Hull KR’s to lose, isn’t it? They’re easily the best side on this side of the world right now, and the team is full of confidence, not just as individuals but as a collective. The club is doing all the right things off the pitch, and now it’s about getting something to show for the progress they’ve made on the field.

Sam Cook: Hull KR won by 19 points two weeks ago and whilst Wire missed plenty that day (Sneyd, Williams, Powell, Vaughan), Hull KR were not at the races. If they turn up then it shouldn’t be a question and if they don’t turn up then when do they actually win silverware? That said, I’m backing Willie Peters side to get it done comfortably.

Lance Todd Trophy winner

WJ: Mikey Lewis is the obvious one and he’s the man who could well be the game breaker. But I’m backing the experience and knowhow of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to come the fore. He’s had a big influence on and off the field so far this season and I think his presence in the middle could be huge for KR.

SR: Magic Mikey Lewis has to be the favourite to win the Lance Todd. He’s been nothing short of spectacular this season and is the most integral part of Rovers’ attack. He’s the player they can turn to if it’s not quite going their way to make something out of nothing, whether he’s assisting or scoring the tries himself.

SC: Bevan French and Lachlan Lam are the last two winners so with Mikey Lewis being Hull KR’s talisman, he’s the likely winner but Jack Broadbent is another who could go close. His semi-final performance was exceptional and with plenty of traffic directed Lewis’ way, Broadbent, who is shifting to full-back, could shine.

Women’s Challenge Cup Final winners

WJ: Wigan have started the Super League season well and Denis Betts has done a fine job with the Cherry and Whites but I can’t look past St Helens here. They’ve won it eight times for good reason and they know how to handle these big occasions. It’ll be tight but I think Saints will just edge it.

SR: Whilst Wigan have felt like the team to beat in 2025, you can never write off the Saints! St Helens have so many big-game players that they know how to play in a final, especially in such a big stadium like Wembley. A win would also mean five Cup trophies on the bounce for the Saints, and they’ve never lost a Cup final before.

SR: St Helens are going for a fifth straight Challenge Cup just like the men’s team chased five Grand Finals in 2024. Wigan Warriors ultimately won that year and Denis Betts’ side could be the team to break this streak as well. They’ve very quickly become an elite team who are fearless and this could be the changing of the guard.

1895 Cup winners

WJ: While Featherstone have found form in this competition, they’ve been very hit and miss in the Championship. I think York just have that bit more about them and on the big occasion, I’ll be backing them to put it together and get the job done.

SR: It’s a repeat of the 2021 final, where Featherstone came out on top. However, this time, I’m going for York. They’ve been beaten by Featherstone already this season in the Championship, so that gives them extra motivation to go on and beat them when there’s a trophy at stake. Arguably, they’re in better form right now, too.

SC: After a slow start in 2025 for York, they’re now flying with mid-season additions such as Ben Jones-Bishop helping the Knights take their game up a notch. Featherstone have added plenty too but Mark Applegarth’s side look the stronger of the teams.