Challenge Cup preview: Hull FC
Everything you need to know for Saturday’s Coral Challenge Cup Quarter Final tie with Hull FC.
The Brief
Wigan Warriors make the short trip to Salford’s AJ Bell Stadium on Saturday to face Hull FC in the Quarter Finals of the Coral Challenge Cup (K.O. 5pm).
The fixture will be the first appearance in the competition by the Cherry and Whites in 2020, having received a bye in the previous round.
Hull progressed to the Quarter Final stage having beaten Castleford Tigers last Sunday in Round Six.
Team News
Adrian Lam has made two changes to the side that faced Catalans Dragons last week, with youngsters Harry Rushton and Amir Bourouh coming in to replace the injured Joe Bullock and George Burgess.
Welshman Ben Flower serves the second of a two-match ban received for a Grade B ‘Dangerous Contact’ against Hull KR. Learn more HERE.
Young second-row Morgan Smithies serves the third game of a six-match ban received for two separate incidents during Wigan’s win over Castleford three weeks ago. Learn more HERE.
Injury news
Prop-forward Joe Bullock misses out with a hand injury incurred against Catalans Dragons last week.
Experienced forward George Burgess also misses out as he continues to fully overcome a hip problem.
Winger Liam Marshall continues his long-term recovery from an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury sustained during the Round 10 tie with Castleford.
Prop Tony Clubb remains sidelined with a long-term neck injury.
Half-back Jake Shorrocks continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Here is Wigan’s 21-man squad:
The Opposition
Jamie Shaul is unavailable having failed a Head Injury Assessment against Castleford Tigers on Sunday, while Albert Kelly and Ratu Naulago both drop out having pulled up with hamstring injuries during the second half.
Meanwhile, Adam Swift and Kieran both miss out with back injuries.
There is early return to action for Marc Sneyd; the half-back suffered a lateral ligament injury in the victory over Huddersfield Giants in August and was expected to miss up to two months of action, but makes an earlier than expected return.
Masi Matongo, Connor Wynne, Cameron Scott and Ben McNamara are all called up to the 21-man squad also.
Scott Taylor, Josh Bowden and Josh Jones remain unavailable for the Black and Whites.
Click on the link below to see Hull FC’s 21-man squad:
Did You Know?
The draw for the Semi Finals of the 2020 Coral Challenge Cup will be shown live on BBC Two on Saturday evening, at half time in the fourth Quarter Final between Hull FC and Wigan.
The ball numbers will be as follows:
- 1 – Catalans Dragons or Salford Red Devils;
- 2 – Leeds Rhinos or Hull KR;
- 3 – Warrington Wolves or St Helens;
- 4 – Hull FC or Wigan Warriors.
Previous Meetings
Wigan have won six of the last ten meetings with Hull FC in all competitions and have won the last two going into Saturday’s tie.
Last ten meetings:
- Wigan 26, Hull FC 12 (SLR4, 23/2/20)
- Hull FC 14, Wigan 15 (SLR24, 1/8/19)
- Wigan 22, Hull FC 23 (aet) (SLR3, 24/2/19)
- Wigan 14, Hull FC 12 (SLS8-R7, 28/9/18)
- Hull FC 10, Wigan 14 (SLR18, 16/6/18)
- Wigan 24, Hull FC 10 (SLR2, 10/2/18 at WIN Stadium, Wollongong)
- Hull FC 22, Wigan 30 (SLS8-R5, 8/9/17)
- Hull FC 18, Wigan 14 (CC-F, 26/8/17 at Wembley Stadium)
- Hull FC 39, Wigan 26 (SLR17, 3/6/17)
- Wigan 20, Hull FC 22 (SLR6, 24/3/17)
Hull FC and Wigan have met 16 times previously in the Challenge Cup. Wigan have won ten, while Hull have won six.
The two clubs have met four times in the Semi Finals, where Hull have won three, and four times in the Final, where Wigan have won three, including the 16-0 victory in 2013 when Matty Smith won the Lance Todd Trophy.
Previous Challenge Cup meetings:
- 2017 (FINAL) Hull FC 18 Wigan 14 at Wembley Stadium)
- 2016 (Semi-Final) Hull FC 16 Wigan 12 at Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster)
- 2013 (FINAL) Hull FC 0 Wigan 16 at Wembley Stadium)
- 2002 (Round 4) Wigan 34 Hull FC 10
- 2000 (Quarter Final) Hull FC 14 Wigan 4
- 1994 (Round 5) Hull FC 21 Wigan 22
- 1993 (Preliminary Round) Wigan 40 Hull FC 2
- 1985 (FINAL) Hull FC 24 Wigan 28 at Wembley Stadium)
- 1968 (Round 1) Hull FC 3 Wigan 10
- 1963 (Round 1) Hull FC 0 Wigan 7
- 1960 (Quarter Final) Hull FC 12 Wigan 8
- 1959 (FINAL) Hull FC 13 Wigan 30 at Wembley Stadium)
- 1953 (Round 2) Wigan 18 Hull FC 10
- 1923 (Semi-Final) Hull FC 13 Wigan 9 at Fartown, Huddersfield)
- 1922 (Semi-Final) Hull FC 18 Wigan 5 at Headingley, Leeds)
- 1920 (Semi-Final) Hull FC 5 Wigan 12 at The Willows, Salford)
The Stats
Sam Powell needs one appearance to reach 200 for Wigan.
The 28-year-old made his debut for the Club and scored against Hull FC in Super League at the DW Stadium in a 48-10 win in August 2012.
Head to Head
Here are a few statistics between the two clubs in the history of the Challenge Cup, including tie wins, titles, runners-up, total finals and an intriguing battle between two hookers…
Coach Quotes
Ahead of Saturday’s game, boss Lam, said: “We are pleased to be in the hunt for the Challenge Cup. There’s plenty of romance wrapped up in the the competition and our Club.
“It’s been a difficult year, but we’re grateful that the RFL have continued with the Challenge Cup, because it could have easily have been left out altogether.”
On what he expects from FC, he said: “They’ve got a lot of great individuals and look to be enjoying their rugby at the moment.
“They’ve got a lot of experience there still too, so we’ve got to meet that head on. We’re looking forward to the challenge.
“Hull have got a pretty decent record in recent times in the Challenge Cup, I know they are going to be really tough opposition.”
Match Officials
The man in the middle on Sunday will be Robert Hicks. The video referee is Ben Thaler.
How to Follow
The Listen Live feature will be available from the home page on www.wiganwarriors.com.
The live commentary function will give fans free match commentary from Joe Mills and Andrew Rimmer (Bilko) of the full 80 minutes.
The game will also be broadcast live on BBC Two.
Furthermore, Wigan fans can follow every piece of the action via our social media channels and website.
- Twitter (@WiganWarriorsRL) – live game updates and reaction at the final hooter.
- Instagram (@wiganwarriorsrl) – live behind-the-scenes action, both before and after kick-off.
- Facebook (Wigan Warriors) – live matchday information.
- Website (www.wiganwarriors.com) – post-match reaction including match report, and Head Coach and players reaction.
Wigan TV
Matches will continue to be available – as usual – on Wigan TV, with highlights, extended highlights and full match replays available after the relevant holdback times. There will also be post-match interviews available to watch.
If you’re not already a subscriber to Wigan TV, click HERE today to join. Choose a monthly (£5.99), quarterly (£11.99) or annual (£38.99) subscription with no contract. Pay with PayPal or credit/debit card.
Other Fixtures
Friday 18th September
- Catalans Dragons vs Salford Red Devils (6pm)
- Leeds Rhinos vs Hull KR (8:15pm)
Saturday 19th September
- Warrington Wolves vs St Helens (2:30pm)
- Hull FC vs Wigan Warriors (5pm)
