Hull KR

How Hull KR could line up against Warrington Wolves as Micky McIlorum prediction made

by
Sam Cook
June 6, 2025

Hull KR head to Wembley on Saturday looking to break their trophy drought and we’ve predicted the 17 men who will be tasked with doing that.

It’s well-documented just how long the Robins have waited to lift another piece of silverware but Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final presents them with their best chance yet, at least according to the bookies.

Pundits and fans are also tipping Willie Peters’ side and with that comes pressure but with just one loss all season, it’s understandable why Hull KR are heavy favourites.

They’re far from full strength for Wembley though with the cup-tied Arthur Mourgue forcing two positional changes. It was also expected that Hull KR would be without their three long-term injuries, Micky McIlorum, Rhyse Martin and Oliver Gildart, however, Peters confirmed at the media event earlier this week that McIlorum is a chance of playing.

He’s since been named in the 21-man squad with the hooker ready to play just eight weeks and one day into what was reported as an initial 12-week recovery. McIlorum is one of the key selection decisions that Hull KR have to make and we’ve now predicted exactly how they’ll line up.

Predicted Hull KR line-up for the Challenge Cup Final

Micky McIlorum

Unless Willie Peters is very good at poker, we expect the experienced McIlorum to start on Saturday. The Australian had explained how the Robins had not been sucked into the ‘theatre’ surrounding George Williams’ injury, insisting that they knew all along he would play.

Perhaps Peters wanted to create some ‘theatre’ of his own and cast doubt into Warrington’s minds over whether or not they’d have to line up against Litten or McIlorum, and fire was added to the fuel in terms of that when the veteran didn’t train at the captain’s run today with Peters confirming McIlorum still has a hurdle to jump.

When healthy, McIlorum would help set the tone along with Hull KR’s starting props and he would rarely come back for a second stint. That’s all the Robins would need of their veteran, a 15-20 minute shift to set that tone before Jez Litten is welcomed into the action for the final hour or so.

Hull KR likely plan to wrap McIlorum back up in cotton wool for another four weeks but he’s got the task of trying to help win them the Challenge Cup first.

Other reshuffles

Other selection choices revolve around the cup-tied Arthur Mourgue with Jack Broadbent set to move to full-back, a position that he started in during the Challenge Cup semi-final against Catalans Dragons.

With Oliver Gildart still out and utility back Broadbent being utilised elsewhere, the role of centre is set to go to James Batchelor. Willie Peters trusted him in the role earlier this year and effectively confirmed earlier in the week that them second-rower would move into the backs again.

The domino effect of that is Kelepi Tanginoa starting alongside Dean Hadley in the second-row, though Jai Whitbread could be used if they want to retain Tanginoa’s impact off the bench.

With Tanginoa or Whitbread elevated from bench to starting XIII, Jack Brown becomes the man to earn the call-up onto the bench with Eribe Doro unlucky to miss out.

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

Interchanges: Jez Litten, Jai Whitbread, Sam Luckley, Jack Brown