Wigan Warriors and Hull KR are preparing for a Challenge Cup final showdown, a rivalry that has created a buzz. Like many famous rivalries, Wigan Warriors and Hull KR have become a double act which has created a much-needed buzz. This isn’t a rivalry jaded by over-saturation, but two teams whose encounters have sharpened each other’s desire and skill.
It pits historically successful aristocracy against fresh challengers rattling Super League cages in a golden period. Since 2023’s Grand Final won by Wigan, every domestic trophy has been mopped up by one or the other of the pair and both have toppled the Australian NRL elite to become World Club Challenge winners too.
A Clash of Recent Champions
Wigan won a historic quadruple in 2024, notching everything including the world crown against Penrith in the process, before the Robins snared a treble in 2025 and beat Brisbane earlier this year to collect all four trophies of their own. The final at Wembley between these two modern heavyweights has all the ingredients for a stone-cold classic.
- Junior Nsemba and Mikey Lewis are among the stars on both sides.
- Wigan won a historic quadruple in 2024.
- The Robins snared a treble in 2025.
Wigan Seek to Avenge Last Year’s Disappointment
Matt Peet, Wigan’s coach, has enjoyed almost unyielding success at the Warriors, but last year was a sobering drought as KR stepped on their toes and snatched away the pots, including handing out a Grand Final thumping at Old Trafford last autumn. His 2026 side started the campaign with all the bristling energy of a team desperate to avenge that disappointment – running through opponents with ease to record seven straight wins.
However, injuries to key figures Jai Field – who has been back in the mix of late, and surprise inclusion in this weekend’s squad Bevan French, saw Wigan steer sharply off course with losses to strugglers Huddersfield and Castleford among the lows, and they let slip a comfortable lead to lose to rivals St Helens in the Good Friday derby.
Slowly but surely Peet’s side have rediscovered their mojo, particularly in the cup where a dangerous Wakefield were overcome in the last eight, and in the semis St Helens were routed without a point conceded to put bad memories to one side and secure a Wembley return.
Farrimond’s Opportunity and Wigan’s Wembley History
The absence of French in particular has given homegrown product Jack Farrimond a chance to shine, and he has taken that chance with some dynamic displays notably in that semi-final, alongside Wigan’s game-managing general Harry Smith.
The record 21-times cup winners have rich history at Wembley, with alumni Billy Boston, Eric Ashton and Martin Offiah among the five greats depicted on the rugby league memorial statue at the stadium. Adding a new class of winners to the pantheon, and another image of a celebrating team to the walls of their home and training gro
The 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup final will be live on BBC One.