Challenge Cup preview: Hull FC v Warrington (Sun)
Hull FC and Warrington have both named strong squads for Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-final at Huddersfield.
The Airlie Birds have been boosted by the return of key playmaker Daniel Holdsworth to their 19-man squad.
The stand-off has missed his side’s last three matches with a calf injury but is fit to return to coach Peter Gentle’s squad for the clash at the John Smith’s Stadium.
However, the Black and Whites will be without top try-scorer Ben Crooks for the tie after the young centre limped off during the defeat to Bradford Bulls a week ago.
His place in the squad is taken by Jason Crookes with prop Paul Johnson the other unfortunate player to miss out as Hull look to book a first Wembley appearance since 2008.
Wolves head coach Tony Smith brings Simon Grix, Adrian Morley, Richie Myler and Ben Westwood back into the 19-man squad for this weekend.
Smith is very wary of the talent that their Humberside opponents possess and he said:
“They’re the last team to defeat us on our ground and it was a terrific game of rugby league.
“They are a capable team and we’ve got a healthy respect for them.
“They’ve got some terrific outside backs, big strong young men who can score tries, a good half-back combination and a tough pack of forwards.
“They are a good challenge for us but hopefully we can play the way we like to play.”
Hull FC 19-man squad: Arundel, Briscoe, Crookes, Ellis, Green, Heremaia, Holdsworth, Houghton, Lineham, Lynch, Miller, McDonnell, O’Meley, Pitts, Tickle, Watts, Westerman, Whiting, Yeaman.
Warrington 19-man squad: Bridge, Briers, Carvell, Cooper, Currie, Grix, Harrison, Higham, Hill, Hodgson, J. Monaghan, M. Monaghan, Morley, Myler, Ratchford, C. Riley, Waterhouse, Westwood, Wood.
Prediction: As Hull showed in the last round, form does not matter in the cup but Warrington should have enough. Warrington win.
Stats:
Warrington are appearing in their 32nd Challenge Cup semi-final, having won 16 and lost 15 – while Hull FC have won 14 and lost 9 of their previous 23 games at the last four stage.
Sunday’s game is the first ever semi-final meeting between the sides in the Challenge Cup.
Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
1983 (Quarter Final) Warrington 4 Hull FC 10
1965 (Round 1) Warrington 7 Hull FC 4
1951 (Round 1, First Leg) Warrington 25 Hull FC 9
1951 (Round 1, Second Leg) Hull FC 3 Warrington 5
1935 (Round 1) Warrington 11 Hull FC 11
1935 (Round 1, Replay) Hull FC 16 Warrington 2
1926 (Quarter Final) Hull FC 15 Warrington 2
1921 (Round 1) Hull FC 5 Warrington 5
1921 (Round 1, Replay) Warrington 16 Hull FC 5
1907 (Round 2) Warrington 16 Hull FC 0
2013 meetings:
Warrington 16 Hull FC 26 (SLR15, 17/5/13)
Hull FC 10 Warrington 24 (SLR4, 23/2/13)