Here’s the line up a suspect for the starting 17 at Wembley. 


Dufty
Thewlis
Tai
King
Lindop
Williams
Sneyd
Vaughan 
Powell
Yates 
Fitzgibbon 
Holroyd
Currie


Harrison
Philbin
Crowther
Ratchford


Wood 18th

That is what I came up with.
Biggest call was Ratchford being in the team. But his versatility especially with our fitness vulnerability in the backs makes it too risky not to have him in. He can also play hooker at a push.
I would guess that we will have King, Williams, Fitzgibbon & maybe Crowther playing but far from 100% ... which is not ideal and could prove very costly.Obviously thought about Wood & Wrench.

If he goes with Crowther over Wood then we deserve to lose - if you want a replacement hooker then go with Ratchford.


I suspect a half fit Williams will be anonymous (he usually is for big games anyway) and we'll get a gutsy effort, little in attack and a tired team.


Biggest thing in our favour is HKR, SKY and the Kingston upon Hull Tourism Board are already planning the open top parade, civic reception, statue of Peta Hiku and ascension of Mikey Lewis to supreme deity.

I just don't get the Crowther love in this season. Wood is impactful and in form and can break a tackle. 

I believe this lineup too. Though personally I would make the call to leave out Crowther for Wood. Bigger, stronger and more likely to break the line. Having said that summat about Powell rubs me the wrong way. He never seems d and everythings a lark so if Crowther stayed at 9 and he dropped out it wouldn't bother me. Ratchford has to be in to account for basically any position on the field should we get an injury.

What's the financial impact for a club appearing in the CC final these days? In the 70s/80s/90s an appearance used to give a massive cash injection that set a club up the a few seasons. Remember Ellis, Phillips and Bateman?
Is it the same these days?

No "love in" for me. Just a bit better balance of side if Crowther plays. If one of the props drops out obviously Wood is in. Not a fan of 3 props plus a back on the bench & I think we need Ratchford on bench for this one. 

I think Crowther will play, his line speed and effort areas around the ruck will be the decider for Sam. Wood has really put his hand up though, it’s a tough one. 


That said, if it was me, it would depend on how much you trust the backs to make meters. Wood is a better ball carrier, and if we need to get middles involved to get out of our end, it could be him. Thewlis is fine, but if King doesn’t make it and we have Tai, Lindrop and Wrench/Thewlis it’s not a great ball carrying backline. We’re missing Ashton more than Williams/Walker in my opinion.

TF and the wire: What's the financial impact for a club appearing in the CC final these days? In the 70s/80s/90s an appearance used to give a massive cash injection that set a club up the a few seasons. Remember Ellis, Phillips and Bateman? Is it the same these days? 2024  Runners-up: £35,000 Winners: £100,000 https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/exclusive-the-stark-financial-reality-of-the-challenge-cup-revealed-as-future-investigated/

TF and the wire: What's the financial impact for a club appearing in the CC final these days? In the 70s/80s/90s an appearance used to give a massive cash injection that set a club up the a few seasons. Remember Ellis, Phillips and Bateman? Is it the same these days? 2024  Runners-up: £35,000 Winners: £100,000 https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/exclusive-the-stark-financial-reality-of-the-challenge-cup-revealed-as-future-investigated/

Yes Ratchford has deserved to be in the 17 I think. 

I just hope that we've learned from last year (and Vegas, sorry Sam!) and turn up. 

Wood over Crowther. I'm not sure what Crowther does. He's rubbish.