Hull KR

Warrington Wolves v Hull KR line-ups predicted with players rested for Challenge Cup dress rehearsal

by
Sam Cook
May 23, 2025

Hull KR boss Willie Peters during an interview

Warrington Wolves host Hull KR tonight in a dress rehearsal for the Challenge Cup Final with both coaches set to make changes.

Just how many changes is a major question with both teams potentially wary of showing their hand ahead of their meeting at Wembley in just over a fortnight’s time, however, we’ve predicted how each side could line up.

Willie Peters spoke to the press earlier in the week to explain that he had no plans to rotate, however, both Peta Hiku and Sauaso Sue were afforded a rest last week so there’s a chance that players could sit out between now and Wembley.

As for Sam Burgess, he’s missed players in key positions and that hasn’t allowed for anybody to rest and with another couple of starters dropping out this week, he will be forced into more changes.

A win for Hull KR ensures they remain top of Super League, whilst Warrington can move back towards the top six with a win and end a run of four losses in their last five in the competition.

How could Warrington Wolves line up against the Robins?

Sam Burgess is still without stars such as Matty Ashton, Danny Walker and George Williams, but Paul Vaughan was added to the list with the forward not named in the 21-man squad.

Toby King also drops out having been named in the 21 last week, though he didn’t play. Outside back relief does arrive in the return of Josh Thewlis and he could line up on the left with Connor Wrench on his inside. That would see Arron Lindop and Rodrick Tai on the right, though Jake Thewlis is a chance.

Vaughan’s absence could see James Harrison start at prop and the lack of utility players, bar Oli Leyland, could see Burgess go with a four-forward bench in an attempt to overpower the Robins.

Warrington Wolves XIII: Matt Dufty; Arron Lindop, Rodrick Tai, Connor Wrench, Josh Thewlis; Stefan Ratchford, Marc Sneyd; James Harrison, Sam Powell, Luke Yates; Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Adam Holroyd, Ben Currie

Interchanges: Jordy Crowther, Joe Philbin, Dan Russell, Max Wood

🐺 SQUAD NEWS | Our 21-man squad for Friday’s return to The Halliwell Jones Stadium pic.twitter.com/bxl80nfHVx

— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) May 21, 2025

How could Hull KR line up against Wire?

Hull KR could well rest forwards as well with the likes of Jack Brown and Eribe Doro banging on the door for minutes in the lead up to the cup and whilst Jared Waerea-Hargreaves is suspended.

Lee Kershaw was called into the squad in his absence which could suggest a change on the wing but more likely to play would be Noah Booth who Willie Peters spoke very highly of in his presser.

Booth could replace Broadbent with the versatile back rested given his large workload of late and the fact he will start the Challenge Cup Final at full-back.

Another player who could be rested is Dean Hadley with Jai Whitbread potentially set for a start with Kelepi Tanginoa in the second-row and the aforementioned Doro and Brown on the bench.

Danny Richardson would offer cover at hooker and in the halves with Peters conceding that he would be next man up if Bill Leyland’s injury prevents him from playing.

Hull KR XIII: Arthur Mourgue; Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Noah Booth, Joe Burgess; Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May; Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Jai Whitbread; Kelepi Tanginoa, James Batchelor, Elliot Minchella

Interchanges: Sam Luckley, Danny Richardson, Jack Brown, Eribe Doro