It’s Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals week! As the final four teams battle it out for the two places in the Final at legendary Wembley, we take a look at four player head-to-heads to watch out for.
Mikey Lewis v Bevan French (Hull KR v Wigan Warriors)
Expect fireworks in the halves as two of Rugby League’s finest playmakers face off in their Challenge Cup semi-final tie, in what will be a rematch of last year’s scintillating semi-final.
Magic Mikey Lewis of Hull KR will go head-to-head with Wigan’s maverick Bevan French, with a Wembley place at stake.
Having already met once this year in Round 9’s Betfred Super League where Hull KR emerged comfortable 26-10 victors, both players should already have a good understanding of each other – but as always, we should Expect the Unexpected in the Betfred Challenge Cup competition!
Both know their way to a Challenge Cup Final, with Lewis shining in the Robins’ heartbreaking defeat last year, and French winning the trophy with the Warriors in 2022 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Lewis is yet to taste victory on the big stage, while French has not yet experienced a Wembley outing, which means there's a mouth-watering prize on offer at the weekend for both players.
Signed up long-term by both clubs, Lewis and French are at the heart of their respective teams and can pose a threat to anyone on their day.
Fast forward to the 2024 campaign and the ever present Lewis has averaged a try assist a game in Super League and racked up five tries in total, while French is on eight tries and seven try assists.
As show and go masters, both have the ability to cause huge problems for their defences on Saturday. If Wigan give Lewis any sort of chance to run free, then they’ll be no stopping him and his flashes of brilliance. The Robins have been a joy to watch in 2024, with a passionate Lewis one of the main orchestraters in his side's majestic performances this year.
Likewise, a fancy French is renowned for creating spectacular moments and controlling the game well – he isn’t the 2023 Steve Prescott Man of Steel for nothing!
French may have key experience of winning finals and silverware, but Lewis and his high-flying Hull KR will be more than up for the contest.
With a fiery battle set to unfold between two of the sport’s chief entertainers, fans can look forward to the eye-catching action and attack they should witness in the middle.
Will Lewis and Hull KR make it back-to-back semi-final wins over Wigan? Or will the Warriors show their class?
Ryan Hall v Liam Marshall (Hull KR v Wigan Warriors)
Watch out for a lethal left edge on Saturday, as there will be two wizardry-like wingers in action, and they know their way to a final…
Hull KR’s Ryan Hall has enough experience to last a lifetime where major finals are concerned, such as Challenge Cups, Grand Finals and World Club Challenges - but so does Wigan’s Liam Marshall.
Hall’s last Wembley trip came in 2023, as he aims to go back-to-back with Hull KR this time around. He’s been back-to-back with Leeds Rhinos before in 2014 and 2015 during their ‘Golden Era’ and could be on to break further records as he finds himself on the brink of pushing into the top 20 list of all-time try scorers in Rugby League.
Where Super League is concerned, he finds himself just two tries away from the all-time Super League try scoring record of 247 tries, highlighting that the 35-year old still plenty left in the tank.
His experienced head could be crucial for the Robins on Saturday but opposite him will be another Mr Reliable in the Wigan outfit - and the Warriors can always rely on Marshall when their side needs a play.
Marshall scored the match-winning try for Wigan in the 2022 Challenge Cup Final in the most dramatic of circumstances and comes into this game having scored two tries against Sheffield Eagles in the Sixth Round and four tries in the Quarter-Final against Castleford Tigers.
He also sits as the current top try scorer in Super League this season and will look to continue his scoring streak after he produced a hat-trick over Huddersfield in last week’s Round 11 of Super League.
Who will produce the crucial points on Saturday?
Jake Connor v Matt Dufty (Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves)
All eyes will be on the full-backs in Sunday’s semi-final clash as Huddersfield’s Jake Connor and Warrington’s Matt Dufty will be hoping to play their part in the 80 minutes from Wembley.
A consistent Connor has been key for the Giants with six try assists so far this season and his leadership within the playing group. He scored a terrific try in their emphatic quarter-final win against Catalans in Perpignan and will be hoping to make Wembley for a second time in his career having won the Challenge Cup Trophy with Hull FC in 2017.
But there could be Dufty danger on Sunday as the Wolves’ full-back currently stands as Super League’s top metre maker with his searing pace and fierce attack.
Can this overlap into the Challenge Cup competition?
Dufty is yet to experience a Challenge Cup Final but with his ability to score tries, assist tries, and help his side gain field possession with his insane metre making, could this all be set to change?
Adam Swift v Matty Ashton (Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves)
There will be two speedsters present Sunday’s semi-final when Adam Swift and Matty Ashton line up in the sides...
Huddersfield’s Swift has pace to burn, becoming the first player to reach double digits in tries in 2024 and scoring tries in ten consecutive games.
Where the Challenge Cup competition is concerned, Swift has scored fie tries this year – four against Hull FC in the Sixth Round and one in Huddersfield’s sensational wonderful over Catalans in the quarters. Will he continue his scoring spree in the semis?
Ashton, also known as Warrington’s ‘Air Ashton’ is the gift that keeps on giving with an array of acrobatic finishes in 2024. Similar to Swift, the Warrington flier has scored in every cup match he’s played in this year – with a hat-trick against London Broncos in the Sixth Round and a try in the Wolves’ sensational quarter-final win against St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium – where he will return on Sunday.
This semi-final venue is also a ground that is extremely familar territory to Swift, having played at St Helens for eight seasons.
With a first ever Wembley appearance on the line for both Swift and Ashton, which winger will rack up the points to progress to a place in the semis?
Expect the Unexpected in the Betfred Challenge Cup!
Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Final ties:
Hull KR v Wigan Warriors - Saturday 18 May, (K.O. 1:45pm) - BBC One
Huddersfield Giants v Warrington Wolves - Sunday 19 May (K.O. 3:15pm) - BBC Two
A full Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals Preview can be found here.
The Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final (KO 3pm) is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup (KO 11.45am) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am. Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available.
