Hull KR host in form Wigan Warriors in a battle to progress to the Quarter-Finals of this year’s Ladbrokes Challenge Cup. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the clash.
SQUAD NEWS
Hull Kingston Rovers
City of Hull Academy duo Owen Harrison and Elliot Wallis have been promoted to Hull KR’s first-team for tomorrow’s last-16 tie.
Rovers are without Danny McGuire, Ben Kavanagh and Chris Clarkson (all leg) to increase their ever-growing injury-list to ten senior players, but Maurice Blair (back) may recover from injury to take to the field.
Hull KR 19-man squad: Adam Quinlan, Junior Vaivai, Ryan Shaw, Mose Masoe, Maurice Blair, James Greenwood, James Donaldson, Tommy Lee, Matty Marsh, Robbie Mulhern, Liam Salter, Josh Johnson, Chris Atkin, Will Dagger, Jordan Walne, Joe Cator, Danny Tickle, Owen Harrison, Elliot Wallis.
Wigan Warriors
The Warriors, who sit second in the Super League table, are just without two key men to injury in Joe Burgess and Dominic Manfredi.
With most of the star players, including Liam Marshall fully fit raring to go, everyone expects Wigan to reach the Quarter-Finals of the Challenge Cup yet again.
Second row Liam Farrell returns to the squad after missing their last two games with an ankle problem and Half-back Josh Woods also comes into Shaun Wane’s squad while Morgan Escare and Gabe Hamlin both drop out.
Wigan Warriors 19-man squad: John Bateman, Tony Clubb, Tom Davies, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Oliver Gildart, Willie Isa, Tommy Leuluai, Liam Marshall, Romain Navarrete, Sean O’Loughlin, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Joel Tomkins, Sam Tomkins, George Williams, Josh Woods.
HEAD TO HEAD
Wigan have won their last three meetings with Hull KR and tore the hosts apart when they met in the second round of this year’s Betfred Super League fixtures, winning 44-6, so the home side will be looking for revenge in front of their own fans.
Hull Kingston Rovers are seeking their first home Challenge Cup win against Wigan, but they will believe that a shock result is very much a possibility, as KR shocked the Rugby League world by beating the visitors 16-12 in this round back in 2015.
KR then went on to be beaten by Leeds Rhinos in the final, but another surprise win here will make their loyal fans start dreaming of another trip to Wembley.
KEY BATTLE- Ryan Shaw (Hull KR) v Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors)
Liam Marshall was the Man of the Match when the two sides met on Easter Monday, as he bagged four of the Lancashire side’s eight tries.
With blistering pace and a sixth sense for the try line, he will be the man that KR will be focusing on stopping in this Challenge Cup fixture.
If he and Wigan are to be stopped, Ryan Shaw will need to command his backline and produce a top drawer performance if the hosts are going to progress to the last eight of the competition.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: 13th May 2018
Venue: KCOM Craven Park
Kick-off: 15:00
Referee: C.Kendall
WHO WILL WIN?
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