Warrington Wolves and Wigan Warriors meet in the Challenge Cup final today, in the first shot at silverware in the 2024 season.
For Sam Burgess, it presents an opportunity to claim a trophy at the first time of asking in his fledgling career. For Matt Peet, it represents the opportunity to hold all four available trophies simultaneously, for the first time since St Helens achieved the feat in 2007.
The occasion will also be punctuated by a series of tributes to commemorate the life of Leeds Rhinos legend, Rob Burrow, with the game kicking off at 3:07 PM in honour of Burrow.
It is the first time the two sides have met in the Challenge Cup final since 1990, with Wigan coming out 36-14 winners on that occasion. Warrington will be hoping they can finally get the better of the Cherry and Whites in a big game.
Now, the two teams have announced their starting lineups ahead of the big game.
Challenge Cup Quiz: Name the winners from every year 1996-2023
Challenge Cup final line-ups announced
Credit: Imago Images
Wigan came into the game without Adam Keighran and Tyler Dupree, who both picked up suspensions in the Super League fixture between the two sides last weekend.
Dupree was banned for a headbutt on Sam Powell, whereas Keighran was punished for a high tackle on Warrington youngster, Arron Lindop.
Youngster Zach Eckersley steps into the centres for Wigan, to replace Keighran in a huge show of faith by Peet. Luke Thompson returns to the 17 in place of Dupree.
Jai Field returns at full-back, with Abbas Miski and Liam Marshall, who has recovered from a knock picked up in the last game, on the wing. Jake Wardle joins Eckersley in the centres.
Bevan French and Harry Smith are the halves for Wigan, with Mike Cooper and Luke Thompson starting in the front row.
📋 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦
Your Warriors side to face Warrington Wolves in the Betfred @TheChallengeCup Final! 👊#WWRL #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/1Sy0QoCyik
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) June 8, 2024
Young hooker, Brad O’Neill has the chance to complete a clean sweep of trophies at the tender age of 21 and starts at nine. Junior Nsemba and Liam Farrell play in the back row, with Kaide Ellis at loose forward.
Ethan Havard, Liam Byrne, Patrick Mago and Kruise Leeming are on the bench, with young forward Sam Walters the 18th man.
Warrington Wolves back to near full strength
Credit: Imago Images
Warrington Wolves made nine changes for last weekend’s game against Wigan, but their missing stars return to the line-up for the Wembley showpiece.
George Williams partners Josh Drinkwater in the halves having sat out the Wigan game due to a suspension. Influential full-back, Matt Dufty, also returns in place of youngster Cai Taylor-Wray, who impressed in the game last weekend. Josh Thewlis and Matty Ashton will play on the wing, with Toby King and Rodrick Tai in the centres.
Paul Vaughan and James Harrison start in the front-row for Warrington, with Danny Walker at hooker. Matty Nicholson and Lachlan Fitzgibbon make up the back row, with Ben Currie at Loose Forward.
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Our 2024 Challenge Cup final line-up 🐺 pic.twitter.com/4hFvr69OJL
— Warrington Wolves (@WarringtonRLFC) June 8, 2024
Zane Musgrove, Joe Bullock, Jordy Crowther and Sam Powell drop to the bench for Warrington.
Adam Holroyd and Connor Wrench drop out from the Warrington 21-man squad, with the experienced Stefan Ratchford playing the role of 18th man.
