With Super League Round 13’s action concluded, all attention now turns to next week’s Challenge Cup showdown between Warrington Wolves and Hull KR.
The two sides go head-to-head at Wembley on Saturday, with a number of key talking points heading into the final.
George Williams’ fitness
Warrington skipper George Williams looks set to make a remarkable return from ankle surgery to feature under the famous Wembley arch.
The 30-year-old only underwent the procedure mid-April, having suffered the injury against Hull FC.
His recovery has followed a programme pioneered by Leinster Rugby, with Warrington head coach Sam Burgess confirming on Friday: “He’s on track. He’ll more than likely play.
“He’s pretty determined. He’s been training with us for a week and a half and everyone seems pretty confident.”
Meanwhile, Toby King is also set to return to contention for Warrington, while Lachlan Fitzgibbon has been declared fit after being withdrawn from action on Friday.
Challenge Cup 2025 special
Our Challenge Cup 2025 special newspaper is the perfect accompaniment to this year’s big game. Packed full of exclusive interviews with representatives of both Hull KR and Warrington Wolves, we also have features with cup heroes of the past such as Sean Long, Andy Gregory, Martin Offiah and Mal Reily.
We profile Lance Todd, the man little is known about who gives his name to the man of the match award. There’s a look at forgotten cup final venues, ranking the best finals, the best 13 of Lance Todd winners, plus a preview of the 1895 Cup final, women’s Challenge Cup final and Year 7 boys final.
On sale 28th May 2025, but you can pre-order a copy to be sent to your home here.
Both sides opt for same approach
Both Hull KR and Warrington opted to field strong sides on Friday, claiming wins over St Helens and Castleford Tigers respectively in Round 13.
Both Willie Peters and Burgess rested players ahead of their respective finals in 2023 and 2024, and were both on the losing side to Leigh and Wigan.
Rovers ran out 34-4 winners at Sewell Group Craven Park over the Saints in the final outing before the final, producing arguably one of their best performances of the season.
Peters did however rest Dean Hadley, with the industrious forward walking a disciplinary tightrope after landing three penalty points on Monday.
Rovers also voluntarily ended Friday’s match with 12 players after captain Elliott Minchella was withdrawn with a little over five minutes remaining, with an eye on Wembley and that game against Saints already won.
Warrington meanwhile got the job done in the first half against Castleford at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, winning 34-24. And they’ll have taken some positives from the week previous in the Challenge Cup final dress rehearsal, although losing 31-12 to KR.
Hull KR the “benchmark”
Willie Peters’ Rovers go into the final as heavy favourites, currently sitting at the top of the Super League table with just one defeat all season.
“They’re the team to beat,” Burgess declared. “They’ve been the benchmark all year, and were outstanding last year. We’re planned and ready to go.”
Warrington’s biggest challenge yet
The Wire have had a shaky Super League campaign to date, currently outside the play-offs with a record of six wins and seven losses.
However, Burgess’ outfit have turned it on when it’s needed the most – including a dominant Challenge Cup semi-final display over Leigh Leopards.
They also produced a fightback to beat Leeds in April, a game which marked Super League’s 5,000th.
It’s certainly going to be a challenge, but with Williams returning to partner veteran playmaker Marc Sneyd in the halves, it would be a fool’s game to completely write the Wire off.
Disciplinary relief
And finally, it looks like neither club will be sweating on disciplinary verdicts come Monday from the match review panel.