The 21-man squads have been confirmed for Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final between St Helens and Wigan Warriors with both sides forced into changes.
It’s the first knockout game between these sides since 2022, when Wigan came out on top as they went on to win their first piece of silverware under Matt Peet.
St Helens have not lifted domestic silverware since that 2022 season so the pressure is on them to make a Wembley return and that dynamic, plus the obvious in that this is a derby, makes Saturday’s semi-final a must-watch.
After April’s famous win over Wigan, St Helens have won four on the spin whereas Wigan were on a losing streak until this past weekend when they saw off Bradford Bulls.
Both teams are without key players and they’ve had to make changes from last week’s squads through either suspension or injury but Paul Rowley and Matt Peet have both now confirmed their 21-man squad for Saturday’s Challenge Cup clash.
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St Helens team news
The biggest blow for St Helens is that winger Kyle Feldt drops out of the squad after failing a HIA last week whilst loanee Bill Leyland also drops out with the hooker returning to Hull KR.
That pair are replaced by two outside backs as Deon Cross returns from a HIA whilst Lewis Murphy is an unexpected returnee with the winger back from a dislocated elbow that he suffered in the quarter-final win over Catalans Dragons.
It means Paul Rowley has options for how he replaces Kyle Feldt whilst his biggest selection choice will be who plays full-back, or how he fits both Jack Welsby and Tristan Sailor into the same role.
St Helens 21-man squad: Jack Welsby, Harry Robertson, Deon Cross, Tristan Sailor, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees, Shane Wright, David Klemmer, George Delaney, Matt Whitley, George Whitby, Lewis Murphy, Noah Stephens, Joe Shorrocks, Owen Dagnall, Nene Macdonald, Jake Davies, Tom Humphreys Jackson Hastings
🔻 𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒
Paul Rowley has confirmed his 21-man Saints squad for @TheChallengeCup Semi-Final against @WiganWarriorsRL on Saturday afternoon!
Read more 📰https://t.co/n614NUMueZ#COYS | R. Whittle Ltd. pic.twitter.com/gVGSey3N8R
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) May 7, 2026
Wigan Warriors team news
Wigan lose one to suspension but bring two back as Harry Smith and Sam Walters return having served their three-match ban, however, Ethan Havard misses out with the club’s appeal to overturn his one-match ban unsuccessful.
Winger Josh Cartwright, who debuted from the bench last week, is the other player to drop out meaning that 17-year-old half-back George Marsden retains his place in the 21-man squad.
So too does Noah Hodkinson who, after a hat-trick last week, could start on the wing once again in the absence of Liam Marshall (hamstring).
Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Lukas Mason, Noah Hodkinson, George Marsden
🔢 Denis Betts and Matt Peet have named our 21-player squads for Saturday’s Women’s and Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals.@ToteRacing | Matrix Fitness | #WWRL #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/T8eKP0BHYB
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) May 7, 2026
