What to expect from Wigan Warriors’ next generation as team to face Hull KR predicted

There will be a host of new faces playing for Wigan Warriors against Hull KR with up to ten players potentially debuting following mass rotation by Matt Peet, and we’ve predicted how exactly his side could line up.

With Wigan set to face Hull KR at Wembley in just over a week’s time for the Challenge Cup Final, the Warriors’ head coach has played it safe by resting the vast majority of his starting squad to ensure that no fresh injuries or suspensions are picked up.

As such, it’s left just Zach Eckersley, Junior Nsemba, Patrick Mago, Jack Farrimond and Sam Eseh as the recognisable regulars, many of whom are youngsters themselves, alongside the influx of academy talent.

Some of those academy players have already debuted and made an impressive start to their Wigan Warriors careers but ten of the 21-man squad have not yet debuted, and that will change for at least six of those players but potentially more.

We’ve predicted how Matt Peet could set out his squad with a brief explainer as to who the new names are and what can be expected tonight at Craven Park.

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Wigan Warriors predicted team for Hull KR clash

Full-back: Noah Hodkinson

He’s shone on the wing lately but Hodkinson is a natural full-back and it will likely be him who shifts to fill the role left by Jai Field. The 20-year-old scored a hat-trick in round 10 against Bradford Bulls and will be hoping for another standout performance.

Wingers: Josh Cartwright and Zach Eckersley

Zach Eckersley needs no introduction with his major step up coming in the 2024 Challenge Cup Final, a game that he scored in, and he’ll likely continue on the wing. Alongside him could be Josh Cartwright, who debuted in that round 10 win over Bradford Bulls and is a natural outside back.

Centres: Nathan Lowe and George O’Loughlin

At 21, Nathan Lowe is one of the older members of this squad which highlights just how much Matt Peet has changed and he could play alongside potential debutant George O’Loughlin, the son of assistant coach and club legend Sean.

Halves: Jack Farrimond and George Marsden

George Marsden was wonderful on debut against Bradford Bulls and it looks like it will be him and Jack Farrimond in the halves again.

Props: Kian McDermott and Sam Eseh

Sam Eseh is one of the regulars but starting makes a change for him. He’ll likely be joined by Kian McDermott, who has played five times to date for Wigan, including three times this season.

Hooker: Tom Forber

Tom Forber featured in the 2024 Grand Final so he will be one of the more experienced players with the young hooker set to start on what is the day before his 23rd birthday.

Second-rowers: Junior Nsemba and Finn McMillan

Junior Nsemba is the clear standout name left in the squad by Matt Peet but it’s easy to forget that he is still only 21. His second-row partner could be Finn McMillan, Wigan’s pre-season signing from Barrow, who would be another debutant tonight.

Loose forward: Taylor Kerr

Taylor Kerr is very highly thought of at Wigan and has already featured for them this season. Capable of playing in the halves or at loose forward, Kerr is a player who will likely feature more this year in cherry and white.

Interchanges: Patrick Mago, Lukas Mason, Kalum Rathbone, Shea O’Connor

Despite being the senior man, Patrick Mago’s bench impact may mean he does actually start among the interchanges where he’ll be joined by another son of a Super League legend in Lukas Mason, the son of Keith.

Mason has featured on loan at London but would be on debut here alongside both loose forward/hooker Kalum Rathbone and Shea O’Connor, a young prop who was named academy player of the year in 2025.

Wigan Warriors 21-man squad: Zach Eckersley, Junior Nsemba, Patrick Mago, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Nathan Lowe, Lukas Mason*, Noah Hodkinson, George O’Loughlin*, Finlay Yeomans*, Finn McMillan*, George Marsden, Josh Cartwright, Austin Daniel*, Charlie Yeomans*, Lewis Daniels*, Shea O’Connor*, Kalum Rathbone*

*denotes potential debutant