It’s Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Finals week! As the final four teams battle it out for the two places in the Final at a famous Wembley Stadium, we take a look at four player head-to-heads to watch out for…
Mikey Lewis v Theo Fages
Saturday's semi-final will see two of the game’s finest playmakers go head-to-head at the LNER Community Stadium in York.
Both know their way to a Challenge Cup Final, with Mikey Lewis starring in Hull KR’s heartbreaking 2023 defeat, and Theo Fages winning the trophy with St Helens back in 2021. He also got his name on the scoresheet that day.
Lewis is yet to taste victory on the big stage, whilst Fages has a Challenge Cup and two Betfred Super League Grand Final wins under his belt.
However, if Catalans give Lewis any sort of chance to run free, then there'll be no stopping him and his flashes of magic.
The Robins have once again been a joy to watch in 2025, with Lewis one of the main orchestraters in his side's majestic performances this year – he isn’t the 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel for nothing!
Likewise, Fages is well known for creating spectacular moments and controlling the game very well.
Fages may have key experience of winning finals and silverware, but Lewis and his high-flying Hull KR have established themselves as genuine contenders in 2025.
Lewis has scored ten tries and assisted eight this season so far, whilst Fages has assisted four Dragons scores. Both players have also scored tries in the Challenge Cup competition this year.
A fiery battle is set to unfold, but who will get to experience playing under the Wembley arches once more?
Tom Davies v Tommy Makinson
It’s going to be a battle of the Toms out on the wing when Tom Davies and Tommy Makinson line up in the sides this Saturday.
Tom Davies has been the Robins flier in 2025 and where the Challenge Cup competition is concerned, Davies has scored a try in every round this season.
This includes a sensational score in The Hull Derby Quarter-Final last month.
Davies has been to a Challenge Cup Final before but lost with Wigan Warriors in 2017. Can he help Hull KR to another final and go that one step further?
Similarly, Makinson is a renowned scorer in modern day, tallying up 200+ tries for St Helens between 2011 and 2024.
Having signed for Catalans for 2025, Makinson finally broke his duck for them with a stunning hat-trick in Round 8…is he starting to find his feet at the right time?
In his career, Makinson has played in two Challenge Cup Finals with his former club St Helens, and was fortunate to lift the trophy back in 2021, as well as scoring the game-breaking try.
Both wingers certainly know their way to a final, but who will be celebrating come the end of the weekend?
And will we see any moments of cup magic from these two individuals?
Paul Vaughan v Robbie Mulhern
There’s going to be plenty of power in the pack on Sunday as Paul Vaughan and Robbie Mulhern are set to feature for their respective sides.
Vaughan is made of tough stuff. We only have to cast our minds back to Warrington’s emphatic Quarter-Final victory over St Helens – where Vaughan proved to be a pivotal part of that.
This was despite a gruesome injury he sustained in the opening minutes of this match. Vaughan suffered a compound fracture, but bravely returned to the field for a second stanza.
A bit of tape and he was back on the pitch, producing an impressive stint as the Wolves booked their place in the final four.
Mulhern is also a workhorse, and completed 56 tackles last time his Leigh Leopards side faced the Wolves.
Vaughan will be aiming to reach back-to-back Challenge Cup Finals, whereas Mulhern will be hoping to recreate another sensational story with the Leopards, having played in their memorable 2023 Challenge Cup Final win.
Expect some cracking carries and hits in the middles!
Matty Ashton v Josh Charnley
Two of the league’s most prolific wingers will meet on Sunday.
Acrobatic Ashton loves a try at the Totally Wicked, but his opponents on this occasion will be the Leigh Leopards.
Josh Charnley has been fortunate enough for play for three different teams on four different occasions at Wembley Stadium – Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and most recently Leigh Leopards, so is someone who has vast experience of playing in Challenge Cup Finals, and what the journey involves if teams are to make the big stage.
As two chief entertainers on the left edge, fans can look forward to the eye-catching action and attack they should hopefully witness on Sunday.
Will Ashton and Warrington reach a second successive final, or will Charnley add another Challenge Cup to his list of honours?
Expected the Unexpected in the Betfred Challenge Cup!
Betfred Challenge Cup Semi-Final ties:
Hull KR v Catalans Dragons - Saturday 10 May, (K.O. 2:30pm) - BBC One
Warrington Wolves v Leigh Leopards - Sunday 11 May (K.O. 4:15pm) - BBC Two
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
