Team news for Saturday’s Challenge Cup ties has been confirmed with holders Hull KR receiving a big boost, whilst changes have been made by Warrington Wolves and Leigh Leopards too.
The Robins will look to get one over on York Knights, who famously defeated them in the opening game of this year’s Super League season when the odds were heavily in favour of Hull KR.
That is once again the case, however, York are going through an injury crisis and also have a couple of key players cup-tied with head coach Mark Applegarth previously expressing concerns about selection given how many players are out.
Hull KR will face the Knights at 1:30 pm with that game aired on BBC Two but the second game of the round will be pay-per-view on Super League+ and is a repeat of last week’s Rivals Round clash between Warrington Wolves and Leigh Leopards.
Wire won that 42-6 but the Leopards are hoping to have some more bodies back this week as they look to keep their Challenge Cup dreams alive.
Super League Rivals Round madness, broken video referee system and Challenge Cup predictions – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Challenge Cup team news
Hull KR versus York Knights
Willie Peters confirmed that captain Elliot Minchella would miss out with a ‘tight hamstring’, however, the Challenge Cup holders have been able to welcome Rhyse Martin back into their squad with the Papua New Guinean having missed the past few weeks due to a foot injury.
Also named in the squad are Bill Leyland and Jordan Dezaria as they return from their loan game at St Helens with Jack Charles and Harvey Horne making way.
York are without winger Ben Jones-Bishop, who it was revealed had played against Wakefield with a broken foot. He drops out as one of four changes with Will Dagger (HIA) also out. David Nofoaluma and Will Roberts are cup-tied with the quartet replaced by Jack Smith, Sam Wood and loan pair Joe Law and Myles Harrison.
Hull KR 21-man squad: Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Tom Amone, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Jack Broadbent, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Rhyse Martin, Jack Brown, Karl Lawton, Jordan Dezaria, Noah Booth, Bill Leyland, Tom Whitehead
York Knights 19-man squad: Sam Wood Scott Galeano, Ata Hingano, Jack Martin, Paul McShane, Paul Vaughan, Josh Griffin, Jesse Dee, Denive Balmforth, Xavier Va’a, Justin Sangare, Danny Richardson, Oli Field, Kieran Buchanan, Jack Smith, Nikau Williams, Sam Cook, Joe Law, Myles Harrison
Warrington Wolves versus Leigh Leopards
Sam Burgess had confirmed last week that Cai Taylor-Wray was expected to return and the full-back is named to Wire’s 21-man squad as one of three changes.
Kelepi Tanginoa also returns in a big boost to the pack, particularly as Jordy Crowther drops out. So too do Ewan Smith and Lachlan Webster with youngster Tommy Rhodes named to complete the 21-man squad.
Adrian Lam had revealed that a number of players would undergo a late fitness test to see if they can make the 17, so it’s likely that some of those named to this 21-man squad may not feature on Saturday.
That said, they are boosted by the return of both Umyla Hanley and Edwin Ipape with AJ Towse also named to the squad as Keanan Brand, Will Brough and Franke Halton drop out, the latter of whom failed a HIA in last week’s loss to Wire.
Warrington Wolves 21-man squad: Cai Taylor-Wray, Josh Thewlis, Toby King, Albert Hopoate, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Marc Sneyd, Luke Yates, Danny Walker, James Harrison, Sam Stone, Ben Currie, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne, Ewan Irwin, James Bentley, Luke Thomas, Joe Philbin, Josh Smith, Tommy Rhodes, Kelepi Tanginoa
Leigh Leopards 21-man squad: Tesi Niu, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley, Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam, Joe Ofahengaue, Edwin Ipape, Robbie Mulhern, Owen Trout, Isaac Liu, Aaron Pene, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Matt Davis, Liam Horne, Innes Senior, AJ Towse, Gareth O’Brien, Jack Hughes, Ben McNamara, Louis Brogan, Ryan Brown
