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Predicted Hull KR v Catalans Dragons teams as Robins forced to shuffle backs through injury and ineligibility

Hull KR and Catalans Dragons face off in the Challenge Cup semi-finals on Saturday and we’ve predicted how each side could line up.

In the first of the 2025 Challenge Cup semi-finals, it’s the 2023 finalists against the 2018 winners and Hull KR will be hoping to overcome their poor record against the French side as they bid to make it to Wembley once again.

The Robins have just won two of their last 13 against Catalans, though those two have come under Willie Peters with the last meeting a resounding win for the Robins. Another of the six games under the Australian against Catalans saw them lose in golden point so the form gap is certainly narrowing.

Despite that record, Hull KR are red hot favourites for the win despite concerns over how they will plug their back line problems with Arthur Mourgue cup-tied and Oliver Gildart still a concern.

As for Catalans, they’ve confirmed Sam Tomkins will have to see a knee specialist whilst captain Ben Garcia is another who could be a gameday decision.

Here are our predicted line-ups.

How Hull KR could line up against Catalans

Peters could make a handful of changes to his side with four players set to return. Among those are wingers Tom Davies (shoulder) and Joe Burgess (HIA) meaning there is a clear boost in the backline, despite the loss of Mourgue and Gildart.

With Peters having trusted James Batchelor in that centre role in recent weeks, you’d assume that Hull KR would not risk Gildart unless he is 100% and with the medical team needing to sign off on him, that’s maybe not likely.

Kelepi Tanginoa returns to fill the gap left in the second-row by shifting Batchelor whilst veteran Jared Waerea-Hargreaves returns after his rest last week.

Jack Brown is named on the bench but Eribe Doro could easily assume that fourth spot alongside hooker Bill Leyland and the mainstays Jai Whitbread and Sam Luckley.

Predicted Hull KR XIII: Jack Broadbent; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, James Batchelor, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves; Dean Hadley, Kelepi Tanginoa, Elliot Minchella

Interchanges: Bill Leyland, Jai Whitbread, Sam Luckley, Jack Brown

How Catalans Dragons could line up against KR

Sam Tomkins dropping out of the squad to go see a knee specialist in Montpellier is a blow in the leadership the club lose but young gun Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet has shone at full-back in recent weeks so is more than capable of replacing him.

Ben Garcia could be harder to replace and that’s what they might have to do with McNamara conceding that he’d be in a race to be fit. Catalans could call on Alrix Da Costa at hooker with Cesar Rouge then stepping up from 18th man to offer an option on the bench.

Tommy Makinson could be set to return in a major boost whilst the halves partnership of Luke Keary and Theo Fages is set to continue.

Jordan Dezaria has been recalled from his loan spell at Castleford and it back in the squad so is a chance to make the bench if McNamara opts not to carry a utility such as Rouge.

Predicted Catalans Dragons XIII: Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet; Tommy Makinson, Matthieu Laguerre, Reimis Smith, Nick Cotric; Luke Keary, Theo Fages; Tevita Pangai Jr, Alrix Da Costa, Julian Bousquet; Tariq Sims, Eliott Whitehead, Oliver Partington

Interchanges: Cesar Rouge, Chris Satae, Romain Navarrete, Bayley Sironen

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