Who's in and who's out as Warrington Wolves reveal Wembley squad
Warrington Wolves and Hull KR are preparing to face off in Saturday's Challenge Cup Final (Image: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)
WARRINGTON Wolves and Hull KR have confirmed their 21-man squads for Saturday's Challenge Cup Final.
And for The Wire, head coach Sam Burgess has named a squad that is largely the one many expected.
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Having declared himself fit earlier in the week, skipper George Williams is included and is set to return at stand-off having missed the past seven matches - including the semi-final victory over Leigh Leopards - due to surgery on ruptured ankle ligaments.
Second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon is also expected to be fit despite limping off during the first half of Friday's Super League victory over Castleford Tigers with a knee injury, while centre Toby King and forward Jordy Crowther are in contention as they battle to recover from groin and ankle issues respectively.
While their injury crisis has somewhat eased, Burgess still remains without long-term absentees such as Matty Ashton, Oli Leyland (both ACL), Danny Walker (knee), Leon Hayes (ankle) and Cai Taylor-Wray (hamstring).
Outside-back Connor Wrench is also brought in as Burgess makes two changes to the 21 he named last week. Young hooker Ben Hartill and forward Tom Whitehead are the unlucky duo to drop out.
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The club left the job of announcing their most important squad of the year to their fans in a novel video released this afternoon.
Warrington Wolves 21-man squad for Challenge Cup Final vs Hull KR
Jordy Crowther, Ben Currie, Matt Dufty, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, James Harrison, Adam Holroyd, Toby King, Arron Lindop, Joe Philbin, Sam Powell, Stefan Ratchford, Dan Russell, Marc Sneyd, Rodrick Tai, Jake Thewlis, Josh Thewlis, Paul Vaughan, George Williams, Max Wood, Connor Wrench, Luke Yates
Having completed their final full training session yesterday, the Wire squad are now in London and will complete their preparations with a final 'captain's run' session at Wembley itself tomorrow afternoon.
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Meanwhile, opponents Hull KR have their own injury recovery story within their 21 in the shape of Michael McIlorum.
The experienced hooker was expected to miss at least another month with a torn bicep but is in contention to play having been named in head coach Willie Peters' squad.
The Robins are also able to welcome back New Zealand international prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves after he missed the past two games, including their 31-12 Super League victory over Warrington at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, through suspension.
They will, however, be without full-back Arthur Mourgue, who is cup-tied having featured in the earlier rounds of the competition for Catalans Dragons before his move to Humberside.
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