Warrington and Wigan announce teams for Challenge Cup final

Warrington are back to full strength after making a number of changes for the game against Wigan last weekend. The Warriors, on the other hand, bring back some rested players but will be without the two key players who were suspended in the warm-up game for the Challenge Cup final.

Pay stage for one of Rugby League’s biggest games.

Test Challenge Cup: Named runners-up each year since 1996

Wigan without Keighran and Dupree for Challenge Cup final

Credit: Imago Images

Wigan Warriors will go into the game without the suspended Adam Keighran and Tyler Dupree, however, they are able to name a strong side for the cup clash. Jai Field, Jake Wardle, Liam Farrell and Luke Thompson all return after missing last week’s game, while young center Zak Eckersley retains his place in the squad. He is likely to replace the suspended Keighran.

Ryan Hampshire keeps his place in the 21-man squad despite coming under fire for his performance in last weekend’s game against Warrington. Winger Liam Marshall has brushed aside concerns over a knee injury picked up in the game to be named in Wigan’s 21-man squad. Marshall scored the winner the last time Wigan won the Challenge Cup.

In an official announcement from Wigan, the full 21-man squad is revealed:

Jai Field, Abbas Miski, Jake Wardle, Liam Marshall, Bevan French, Harry Smith, Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Liam Byrne, Liam Farrell, Kaide Ellis, Mike Cooper, Patrick Mago, Luke Thompson, Kruise Leeming, Harvie Hill, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Ryan Hampshire, Zach Eckersley, Jacob Douglas

Warrington Wolves name a strong squad

Credit: Imago Images

Sam Burgess opted to rest his players for last weekend’s game against Wigan after making nine changes to the side that beat Catalans Dragons in the south of France the week before. Burgess returned to the strongest squad available this week for the Wembley showdown.

George Williams returns to the side from a one-match suspension and Jordy Crowther returns from injury. Matty Ashton, Ben Currie, Matt Dufty, Kachlan Fitzgibbon, James Harrison, Toby King, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan and Danny Walker all return after rest the previous week.

Long-term Warrington absentees Leon Hayes and Joe Philbin miss out, along with Luke Thomas and Wesley Bruines. The club’s official announcement lists the full 21-man squad as follows:

Matty Ashton, Joe Bullock, Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Josh Drinkwater, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Zane Musgrove, Matty Nicholson, Sam Powell, Stefan Ratchford, Rodrick Tai, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan , Danny Walker, George Williams, Max Wood, Connor Wrench.