There will be a host of England internationals taking the stage at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 17 July after St Helens and Castleford Tigers progressed to the 2021 Betfred Challenge Cup Final this past weekend.
Five members of Shaun Wane’s England squad featured for St Helens in their 18-33 victory over Hull FC at Leigh Sports Village.
Jonny Lomax was instrumental in the Saints victory as he notched a try-assist in addition to clocking over 100 running metres. Tommy Makinson ran for 162 metres in the victory: the second highest of any St Helens player.
Morgan Knowles was once again impressive in the middle for Kristian Woolfe’s side making more tackles than any other Saints star with 36. Fellow English duo Alex Walmsley and James Roby followed closely behind.
Whilst not in Shaun Wane’s current squad, youngster Jack Welsby continues to impress in a Rugby League World Cup year notching another try in this weekend’s Semi-Final victory, taking his tally to seven for the season.
Unfortunately, Hull FC centre Josh Griffin – who had come into the England set-up under Shaun Wane – suffered a ruptured Achilles in the defeat and now faces a spell on the sidelines.
Paul McShane’s affinity with the Betfred Challenge Cup in 2021 continued as Castleford saw off Warrington, 35-20, with the England squad member notching an assist, a drop-goal and eventually the try which confirmed a Wembley berth for Daryl Powell’s men. McShane has played a crucial role in all three of Castleford’s wins on route to the Final.
Fullback Niall Evalds demonstrated just how dangerous he can be in attack as he provided three try-assists for a rampant Tigers side. Evalds also provided four line-break assists.
Despite falling to defeat, Toby King’s eye-catching try-scoring run continued for Warrington at Leigh Sports Village whilst Ben Currie also found his way over the try-line.
Stefan Ratchford made more metres than any other Wire player with 152 while halfback Gareth Widdop provided two try-assists.
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