Sam Burgess reckons the Hull KR full-back will feature this weekend.
Sam Burgess reckons Arthur Mourgue will feature this weekend in the Challenge Cup.(Image: SWPix)
Sam Burgess is convinced Hull KR’s Arthur Mourgue will make his long-awaited return to face Warrington Wolves in Sunday’s blockbuster Challenge Cup semi-final.
The French international full-back has been sidelined since suffering a torn pectoral muscle during the Robins’ emphatic World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos at the MKM Stadium.
His comeback had been pencilled in for later this month against Leigh Leopards – but Rovers head coach Willie Peters has hinted he could yet feature at the Eco-Power Stadium.
And Burgess is already preparing for exactly that.
“I’ve been told he’s playing,” said the Warrington head coach.
“Whether they start him or not, I’m not sure. We’ll take a look at him as we do. He’s a great player, but I think Jack Broadbent has been equally as good, and he’s been in some good form. There’s a tough decision to make there, but we’ll be ready either way.”
The showdown is a repeat of last year’s dramatic Challenge Cup Final at Wembley – when a late try from Tom Davies turned the game on its head, with Mikey Lewis nailing the match-winning goal.
This week, both sides arrive in red-hot form.
Hull KR have won six on the spin, piling up 98 points in their last two Super League outings after rediscovering their winning rhythm.
Their surge has also been recognised in the latest Man of Steel standings, with Jez Litten and Tyrone May in the top three, behind Leeds’ Lachie Miller.
Stand-off May has quietly become one of the competition’s most influential figures, registering the second-highest assist tally in Super League this year to date – behind only St Helens’ Jackson Hastings.
And Burgess knows just how dangerous the Australian can be.
“I think he’s been really impressive,” he said.
“He’s a really important part of their team, and probably doesn’t get talked about as much because of Jez and Mikey Lewis.
“But I think everyone is now understanding and seeing the impact he’s having on the group. I thought he had a similar impact at Catalans when he was there – I thought he was really influential for them.”