Hull KR and Catalans Dragons face off in the first Challenge Cup semi-final this weekend and the team news is in.
The Robins are looking to make it to Wembley for the first time since 2023 as they seek a third final in three years, having lost last year’s Super League Grand Final.
They’ve established themselves as clear contenders now but the lack of silverware is a concern and they’ll view the Challenge Cup as a gateway trophy to potentially help them land the big one at Old Trafford in October.
As for Catalans, they won the Challenge Cup in 2018 and this presents them with another major opportunity, especially given they’ve not had it all their own way in 2025.
Steve McNamara’s side got off to a slow start and they’re currently one of four teams in Super League with a record of five wins and five losses. A win at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday could help kickstart their season.
Hull KR team news
Star man Arthur Mourgue is cup-tied having played for Catalans earlier in the competition and that will likely see Jack Broadbent move to full-back, but the major questions were about the centre and wing positions.
Oliver Gildart limped off after five minutes at Magic Weekend and Willie Peters confirmed to the media on Wednesday that the centre is a doubt with a specialist set to be consulted.
Despite that, Gildart is named to the squad meaning he will likely be a gameday decision whilst there is also a return for Jared Waerea-Hargreaves who was rested last week against Salford.
Wingers Tom Davies and Joe Burgess return from shoulder and HIA issues respectively whilst Kelepi Tanginoa is also back meaning the Robins are close to full-strength, barring long-term absentees Rhyse Martin and Micky McIlorum.
Hull KR 21-man squad: Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Jack Broadbent, Danny Richardson, Kelepi Tanginoa, Jack Brown, Lee Kershaw, Eribe Doro, Bill Leyland
Our Semi-Final 21-man squad is named 👊#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/tLEWGcF2wb
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) May 8, 2025
Catalans Dragons team news
For Catalans, the injury focus was on captain Ben Garcia who suffered a groin injury at Magic Weekend and was in a race to be fit for this game.
Steve McNamara said that the skipper would “work extremely hard” to be available was “clearly a doubt” and that saw the club recall Jordan Dezaria from his loan deal with Castleford Tigers earlier this week.
Both Garcia and Dezaria have been named with Dezaria and Tommy Makinson in for Sam Tomkins and Leo Darrelatour the only changes made by Steve McNamara.
Having Makinson back will be a major boost whilst young full-back Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet will continue at full-back in Tomkins’ absence.
Catalans Dragons 21-man squad: Tommy Makinson, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric, Luke Keary, Tevita Pangai Jr, Ben Garcia, Julian Bousquet, Tariq Sims, Elliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington, Alrix Da Costa, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Bayley Sironen, Cesar Rouge, Paul Seguier, Jordan Dezaria, Theo Fages, Fouad Yaha, Matthieu Laguerre, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet
𝗟𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣𝗘 𝗗𝗘𝗦 𝟮𝟭 ⚔️
𝑃𝑟𝑒́𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒́ 𝑝𝑎𝑟 𝐺𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝𝑒 𝑃𝑒𝑦𝑟𝑜𝑡 𝐴𝑢𝑡𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠
Steve McNamara a dévoilé son groupe pour la demi-finale de Challenge Cup face à @hullkrofficial.🇫🇷 https://t.co/ehK3HI5BS7
🇬🇧 https://t.co/QeWYPLzJ8O pic.twitter.com/CFIZx6PmRl— Dragons Catalans (@DragonsOfficiel) May 8, 2025
