Hull KR and Wigan set to renew rivalry in intriguing Challenge Cup final

Superstar halves and departing head coaches have lent extra intrigue to a rivalry that requires little additional hype as domestic rugby league’s two modern giants prepare to go head to head at Wembley for the first time.

Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup final could see Wigan playmaker Bevan French make a remarkable return just three months after sustaining a hamstring injury that required surgery, after the 30-year-old was named in Matt Peet’s 21-man squad.

Meanwhile, defending treble-winners Hull KR are determined to secure the first stage of a rousing send-off for Willie Peters, the architect of the club’s dramatic revival, who will leave to join the new NRL franchise PNG Chiefs at the end of the campaign.

Rovers’ recent ascendency has shunted aside more traditional and longer term domestic rivalries, making ties between the two teams, who have contested each of the last two Super League Grand Finals, eagerly anticipated affairs at the best of times.

Rovers have shrugged off a rocky start to the current campaign to hit form at the right time and stand-off Tyrone May, arguably the outstanding player of the season so far, admits confirmation of Peters’ departure has helped fuel his side’s fight to retain their trophies.

“It was a bit of a gut-punch but I’m happy for him,” said May of the Australian head coach, who hauled him to east Hull from Catalans Dragons in 2024, and whom he counts as someone who has done more than most to re-shape a once inconsistent career.

“Selfishly I wanted him to stay but as a mate away from the field I think he deserves it. I don’t see anyone who lives and breathes the game hard than him.

“He’s given me more responsibility. I think he knew I was a bit different to the players he’d had