Squads: Challenge Cup semi-finals

The Challenge Cup semi-final teams have announced their 19-man squads for Saturday’s double header at the University of Bolton Stadium.

The day kicks off with the Women’s Challenge Cup Final between Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers at 11:15am, before the two men’s semi-finals:

Warrington Wolves v Hull FC – 2:00pm

Warrington:

The big news for the Wolves is the return of explosive back rower Ben Murdoch-Masila, who has been out for over a month with an ankle injury. Danny Walker, Luis Johnson and Pat Moran drop out of last week’s squad that faced Castleford.

19-man squad: 2 Tom Lineham, 3 Bryson Goodwin, 5 Josh Charnley, 6 Blake Austin, 8 Chris Hill, 9 Daryl Clark, 10 Mike Cooper, 11 Ben Currie, 12 Jack Hughes, 13 Ben Murdoch-Masila, 14 Jason Clark, 15 Dec Patton, 16 Lama Tasi, 17 Joe Philbin, 18 Toby King, 20 Harvey Livett, 22 Jake Mamo, 23 Matt Davis, 28 Luther Burrell.

Hull:

The Black and Whites are boosted by the return of maverick halfback Albert Kelly, who missed out against Leeds last week with a hamstring strain. Lee Radford’s side are otherwise unchanged, with Andre Savelio and Matty Dawson-Jones among those still out injured.

19-man squad: 1 Jamie Shaul, 2 Bureta Faraimo, 3 Carlos Tuimavave, 4 Josh Griffin, 6 Albert Kelly, 7 Marc Sneyd, 8 Scott Taylor, 9 Danny Houghton, 10 Josh Bowden, 12 Mark Minichello, 13 Joe Westerman, 14 Jake Connor, 15 Chris Green, 20 Brad Fash, 21 Sika Manu, 22 Jordan Lane, 23 Mickey Paea, 33 Ratu Naulago, 34 Gareth Ellis.

St Helens v Halifax RLFC – 4:30pm

St Helens:

Saints have made nine changes to last week’s side that lost to London. Captain James Roby returns, as do Jonny Lomax, Tom Makinson, Theo Fages, Luke Thompson and Alex Walmsley among others. There is no place for Lachlan Coote, however, who is recovering from a knee injury he picked up against Wigan.

19-man squad: 1 Jonny Lomax, 2 Tom Makinson, 3 Kevin Naiqama, 4 Mark Percival, 5 Regan Grace, 6 Theo Fages, 7 Danny Richardson, 8 Alex Walmsley, 9 James Roby, 10 Luke Thompson, 12 Joseph Paulo, 13 Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 15 Morgan Knowles, 16 Kyle Amor, 17. Dominique Peyroux, 19.Matty Lees, 20 Jack Ashworth, 22 James Bentley, 24 Matty Costello.

Halifax RLFC:

‘Fax coach Simon Grix has recalled his brother Scott into the 19-man squad for the club’s first Challenge Cup semi-final since 1988.. He replaces former Castleford fullback Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e. Captain Scott Murrell has also been named despite being taken to hospital at the weekend after sustaining a neck injury against Dewsbury, with the club giving him the next two days to prove he is fit to play.

19-man squad: 2 Shaun Robinson, 3 Steve Tyrer, 4 Chester Butler, 5 Will Sharp, 6 Scott Murrell, 7 Ben Johnston, 8 Dan Fleming, 9 Ben Kaye, 10 Jacob Fairbank, 12 Ed Barber, 14 Brandon Moore, 16 Kevin Larroyer, 17 Ben Kavanagh, 18 Elliot Morris, 20 James Saltonstall, 23 James Woodburn-Hall, 25 Liam Cooper, 30 Scott Grix, 35 Adam Tangata.