Jon Wilkin issues warnings to Warrington Wolves and Hull KR over returning stars with 2008 example

Jon Wilkin has issued warnings to both Warrington Wolves and Hull KR regarding the risks both sides are preparing to take in the Challenge Cup final. The pair go head to head at Wembley Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they strive to get their hands on the first piece of silverware available this year.

However, both Warrington and KR are preparing to welcome players back from injury earlier than originally planned. Sam Burgess has already confirmed that George Williams will feature on Saturday with the skipper overcoming ankle surgery in just over seven weeks.

The stand-off has used a programme designed by rugby union club Leinster to get himself ready and he has ticked every box leading into the cup final to make himself available.

Rovers, on the other hand, look set to welcome Micky McIlorum back into the mix, less than two months after he picked up a bicep injury. The expectation was that Mcllorum would return in 12 weeks but he has managed to shave a month off that time and is expected to be named in the travelling squad for the weekend’s clash.

Both sides are taking risks then and Wilkin has used Paul Sculthorpe’s early injury in the opening minutes of the 2008 final as an example of when such gambles can backfire.

“He’s integral to Warrington,” Wilkin told Sky Sports when asked about Williams. “He’s integral to everything Warrington do and he’s so important he has to play.

“There does come risk with that. I remember in 2008 I played against Hull and Paul Sculthorpe went into the game injured, on the first kick-off he had to pull out and leave us with 16 players. There is a real risk that George won’t make it through the game but it’s a risk he’s willing to take and Warrington have weighed up and are willing to take, he’s that good.

“You need him in your team for big games and big games like this need big game players. He is stand-out good for Warrington and behind everything they do that is potent. He must and will play but it’s just whether he gets through, I think that’s the question.”

Jon Wilkin on Hull KR veteran Micky McIlorum

On McIlorum, who has already won three Challenge Cup finals, Wilkin added: “This one is a risky one for me. Much like George Williams is important, Micky McIlorum is incredibly important for Hull KR, he leads everything in terms of intensity, defensive effort, he’s a ferocious guy to play against and fierce.

“He marshals the defensive line so well. My challenge is a bicep injury is not a good injury to have when you’re playing in the middle of the field, you frequently get hit there and you make a huge amount of contact with that muscle. So if he is coming back early, I’m more fearful for McIlorum getting through the game than George Williams.

“I’m sure Willie Peters has a plan and he’s got Jez Litten also, who has been playing that position so well. It’s a risk but in the position he plays, it’s probably more of a risk than George and on the balance of it, George is more important than maybe Micky’s introduction is but he has so much experience.”