The squads are in
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 26/05/2026 – Rugby League – Betfred Challenge Cup Final Preview – The Alchemist, Manchester, England – Wigan & Hull KR coachs Matt Peet and Willie Peters with the Betfred Challenge Cup trophy at Media City ahead of the final on the 30th May at Wembley.
Hull KR boss Willie Peters has named his squad ahead of this Saturday’s Challenge Cup final clash against Wigan Warriors.
The two sides make the trip down to the capital this afternoon and the squads they will be travelling with have now been confirmed with Dean Hadley included.
Peters had suggested earlier in the week Hadley would be a doubt after picking up a hamstring injury last time out against Wigan. Hadley has trained this week with the Robins though and the expectation is that he will be involved come Saturday afternoon.
Joe Burgess comes back into the fold after sitting out of last week’s game with a shoulder injury, while Karl Lawton, Tyrone May and Jai Whitbread are all included as expected.
Tevita Pangai Jr has travelled with the team but he won’t be involved this week as he strives to build up match fitness.
The big cup final team news comes out of the Wigan camp, though, with Bevan French being named.
French was still thought to be a few weeks off a return to action after tearing his hamstring in round four. However, the stand-off has been named in Matt Peet’s travelling squad and if he’s fit, it seems he could play at Wembley Stadium.
Whether he is considered to be fit enough remains to be seen, but his selection has certainly caught the eye.
Elsewhere, Peet has rung the changes to return to his strongest possible squad with Liam Farrell coming back into the fold, too.
Challenge Cup final team news
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field, Zach Eckersley, Adam Keighran, Jake Wardle, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Sam Walters, Patrick Mago, Oliver Partington, Jack Farrimond, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber, Kian McDermott, Taylor Kerr, Noah Hodkinson.
Hull KR : Tom Davies, Peta Hiku, Oliver Gildart, Joe Burgess, Mikey Lewis, Tyrone May, Sauaso Sue, Jez Litten, Tom Amone, Dean Hadley, James Batchelor, Jack Broadbent, Sam Luckley, Jai Whitbread, Rhyse Martin, Karl Lawton, Jordan Dezaria, Noah Booth, Bill Leyland.