Challenge Cup Preview: Hull FC v Wakefield Wildcats

Hull have won their last three meetings with Wakefield in the Challenge Cup. Wakefield’s last win against Hull in the competition was in the 1960 Final at Wembley. The sides have met three times in the final – Wakefield winning 17-0 in 1909 and Hull triumphant 6-0 in the 1914 final.

The Wildcats go into the game losing six out of their last eight away games and only winning five out of 13 matches in Super League.

Wakefield vice captain Richard Mathers has been included in the 19-man squad after being ruled out for a month due to a ruptured testicle and ankle injury. Prop forward Justin Poore keeps his place in the squad after he rolled his ankle in the victory over Catalans last weekend, while Mattie Wildie comes in to replace former Hull man Reece Lyne, and Paul Sykes drops out.

Hull FC have made one change in their squad, which sees winger Jason Crookes return in the place of Joe Westerman who suffered a hand injury against London Broncos last week.

Chris Green and Josh Bowden also retain their place after missing out against London, whilst captain Gareth Ellis and Daniel Holdsworth are also named in the squad once again following their return from injury last week.

Hull 19-man Squad: Bowden, Briscoe, Crookes, Crooks, Ellis, Green, Holdsworth, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Johnson, Lineham, Lynch, McDonnell, O’Meley, Pitts, Watts, Whiting, Yeaman

Wakefield 19-man Squad: Mathers, Fox, Collis, Smith, Poore, Aiton, Raleigh, Lauitiiti, Kirmond, Washbrook, Wood, Amor, Wilkes, Mellars, Wildie, Annakin, Molloy

Prediction: It will be a tough game, and a close result but Hull will edge it – Home Win

Stats:

Kirk Yeaman needs one try to reach 150 for Hull FC. He has touched down 149 times in 282 games for his hometown club since 2001.
Peter Fox (Wakefield Wildcats) is in 6th place for the leading goalscorer as Ben Crooks (Hull FC) is in joint 7th scoring 11.