Leigh Leopards, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and Hull KR head into the weekend knowing they are just 80 minutes away from booking their place in the Challenge Cup Final. Here is a closer look at both semi-finals taking place this weekend.
Leigh have had an amazing season so far and will be hoping it can get better. Adrian Lam’s side have won 12 of their last 13, which has seen the club rise to second place in the Betfred Super League.
The Leopards are looking to become the first side to win the 1895 Cup and the Challenge Cup, after Lam’s side lifted the 1895 Cup last season.
Lam believes that the experience of winning that competition has helped the club.
“I think a lot of players who experienced it, helped develop our team for the rest of that season”.
In their last league fixture, Leigh faced adversity to come from behind to defeat Salford away from home.
Joe Mellor featured at hooker, after Edwin Ipape was ruled out due to illness and Aaron Smith also was unavailable.
Ipape is set to return to the side, however, they will still be without Kai O’Donnell after his six-week suspension he received after their victory in the quarter-final.
The Leopards have defeated Wakefield Trinity and York Knights on their way to this stage.
Standing in their way are the current World Champions, St Helens.
The Saints were the last side to lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley, as they defeated Castleford Tigers in the 2021 final.
Paul Wellens is no stranger to Challenge Cup success, the former Saints number one won five during his playing career. The hometown hero will be hoping to lift the trophy this season as head coach.
Saints seemed to make a slow start to the season but have picked up as they search for more silverware.
St Helens have made three changes to their 21-player squad. Mark Percival and captain, James Roby, both miss the contest after failing HIAs last weekend during the defeat to Catalans. Curtis Sironen also misses the fixture. Tommy Makinson, Joe Batchelor, and Tee Ritson are the trio who come into the side.
The Saints defeated Halifax in Round Six, before a strong second half performance saw them knock Hull FC out the competition.
Saturday’s meeting will be the first Challenge Cup meeting since 1988, the sides had met the year before at the semi-final stage. St Helens won that 14-8, before losing to Halifax in the final.
The other semi-final will take place at Headingley, with Wigan Warriors facing Hull KR on Sunday afternoon.
Wigan Warriors are the defending holders after a late Liam Marshall try saw them defeat Huddersfield Giants at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Matt Peet’s side showed resilience in the last round, despite having a player sent off inside the opening eight minutes of the contest. The Warriors defeated Warrington in a closely fought contest.
Toby King opened the scoring that afternoon, King is set to face his brother George, who is expected to play at prop for Hull KR.
The 20 times Challenge Cup winners have made just one change to their squad. Willie Isa comes in and replaces Iain Thornley.
The Warriors came from 14 points behind in Round Six to defeat Leeds Rhinos. Peet said to the media this week that it was a tough contest, and it is fitting that Wigan will return to Headingley.
Hull KR have fond memories of a Challenge Cup Semi-Final at Headingley, with the Robins beating Warrington at that stage in 2015.
Willie Peters’ side kicked off their 2023 season with a home victory against Wigan and will be hoping to have similar success.
After a great start to the season, Hull KR have suffered a few defeats recently which coincides with key players missing due to injuries.
Influencial, Mikey Lewis, has been named in the side after missing last week with a concussion, the same with Kane Linnett. Dean Hadley will miss the contest after failing a HIA against Leeds last weekend.
Brad Schneider made a huge impact on his debut. Schneider scored a try inside seven minutes and kicked a drop goal in golden point against the Rhinos.
Hull KR will be hoping that can have back to back wins in Leeds.
Sunday’s meeting will be the fourth between the sides at the semi-final stage. Wigan have won all three previously, the most recent of these was 1985 trophy.
Fixtures
Saturday
Leigh Leopards v St Helens – 2:30PM – Halliwell Jones Stadium - BBC One
Sunday
Hull KR v Wigan Warriors – 5PM – Headingley Stadium - BBC Two
