Hull KR and Wigan Warriors are set to renew one of rugby league’s fiercest modern rivalries when they clash in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 7 June. The two sides have contested each of the last two Super League Grand Finals, with Wigan emerging victorious on both occasions – a 10–2 win in 2023 and a 9–2 triumph in 2024. Now, the stakes are even higher as they battle for the first major trophy of the 2025 season.
Hull KR, who last lifted the Challenge Cup in 1986, have been one of the form teams this campaign under head coach Willie Peters. Their run to the final included a gritty semi-final victory over St Helens, with tries from Mikey Lewis and Peta Hiku sealing a 24–16 win. Lewis, the club’s standout half-back, said: “We know what Wigan bring – they’re champions for a reason. But we’re a different side this year. We’ve grown and we’re ready to take that next step.”
Wigan, meanwhile, are aiming for a record-extending 21st Challenge Cup title. Head coach Matt Peet has steered his side to the final after a dominant 38–6 semi-final win over Leigh Leopards. Winger Liam Marshall scored a hat-trick in that match, while captain Liam Farrell marshalled the defence. Peet commented: “Hull KR are a fantastic team. They’ve pushed us close in big games before, and we respect them enormously. But our focus is on our own performance – we know what it takes to win these occasions.”
The rivalry has intensified over the past two seasons, with several fiery encounters in Super League. Wigan currently sit top of the table, two points clear of second-placed Hull KR. The Challenge Cup final will also be a showcase for some of the sport’s brightest talents, including England internationals such as Wigan’s Harry Smith and Hull KR’s Elliot Minchella, who recently returned from a hamstring injury.
For Hull KR, victory would end a 39-year wait for Challenge Cup glory and cement their status as genuine Super League contenders. For Wigan, another trophy would further underline their dominance in the modern era. With a capacity crowd expected at Wembley, the atmosphere promises to be electric. As Peters put it: “This is what you dream of as a kid – playing at Wembley in a cup final. We’re not just here to make up the numbers.”