Warrington Wolves and Hull KR Name Squads for Challenge Cup Final
Warrington Wolves head coach Sam Burgess has named a 21-man squad for the Challenge Cup Final, with several key players included after overcoming injuries. The team, as reported by the Warrington Guardian, is largely as expected, with skipper George Williams returning at stand-off after missing the past seven matches due to surgery on ruptured ankle ligaments.
Williams’ inclusion is a significant boost for the team, and he will be joined by second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, who is expected to be fit despite limping off during the first half of Friday’s Super League victory over Castleford Tigers with a knee injury. Centre Toby King and forward Jordy Crowther are also in contention as they battle to recover from groin and ankle issues respectively. As the Warrington Guardian reports, the team’s injury crisis has somewhat eased, but Burgess still remains without long-term absentees such as Matty Ashton, Oli Leyland, Danny Walker, Leon Hayes, and Cai Taylor-Wray.
The Warrington Guardian also notes that outside-back Connor Wrench has been brought into the squad, with young hooker Ben Hartill and forward Tom Whitehead dropping out. The team has completed their final full training session and will now complete their preparations with a final ‘captain’s run’ session at Wembley itself tomorrow afternoon.
The 21-man squad for Warrington Wolves is as follows:
Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Arron Lindop, Joe Philbin, Sam Powell, Stefan Ratchford, Dan Russell, Marc Sneyd, Rodrick Tai, Jake Thewlis, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan, George Williams, Max Wood, Connor Wrench, Luke Yates
Meanwhile, opponents Hull KR have their own injury recovery story within their 21 in the shape of Michael McIlorum. The experienced hooker was expected to miss at least another month with a torn bicep but is in contention to play having been named in head coach Willie Peters’ squad. As the Warrington Guardian reports, Hull KR will also be welcoming back New Zealand international prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after he missed the past two games through suspension.
However, Hull KR will be without full-back Arthur Mourgue, who is cup-tied having featured in the earlier rounds of the competition for Catalans Dragons before his move to Humberside. As quoted in the Warrington Guardian, the team’s 21-man squad for the Challenge Cup Final has been announced, with McIlorum included despite his injury.
In a novel move, Warrington Wolves left the job of announcing their most important squad of the year to their fans, releasing a video this afternoon. As the Warrington Guardian reports, the video showed the fans and community announcing the squad, with the team looking to bring home the Challenge Cup.
The Challenge Cup Final between Warrington Wolves and Hull KR is set to be a closely contested match, with both teams naming strong squads for the event. The Warrington Guardian will be providing extensive coverage of the match, including live updates and analysis.
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