Wigan Warriors v Hull KR: Ladbrokes Challenge Cup preview
Last Updated: 15/05/15 7:48pm
Hull KR are intent on setting the record straight when they face Wigan Warriors in Friday's Ladbrokes Challenge Cup sixth-round tie.
The Robins suffered a 60-0 humiliation when they played the Warriors in Super League a fortnight ago, a result which prompted the club to offer free tickets to their disappointed fans for the return trip to Lancashire.
Ken Sio was in a patched-up side that conceded 11 tries at the DW Stadium. The 24-year-old was also in the team that beat Wigan 22-20 in March, scoring two tries, and he took his total for the season to 10 in 13 Super League appearances during last weekend’s 10-try hammering of Wakefield.
Sio believes that the win over the Wildcats, coupled with the return of influential captain Terry Campese and goal-kicking winger Josh Mantellato, will ensure it is a different story when Rovers take on Wigan in the sixth-round tie, which will be played at Leigh Sports Village with pitch renovation underway at the DW Stadium.
"We got destroyed at Wigan and it was good to put it right (against Wakefield)," said Sio. "We got stuck into training and put our heads down and we got a good result.
"We'll be ready this week. It will be a good game as well and a different result too."
Hull KR coach Chris Chester welcomes back Maurice Blair after recovering from a hamstring injury, while young forward Sonny Esslemont has also been included in his 19-man squad.
Wigan are without the injured Dom Manfredi, which will mean a recall for England win Josh Charnley.
Charnley lost his place in the Warriors side after damaging his ankle against Hull FC in March and was unable to reclaim it due to the form of young wingers Joe Burgess and Dom Manfredi.
Liam Farrell is included despite failing a late fitness test before last weekend’s whitewashing of Castleford, while Ben Flower has recovered from a hamstring problem.
The Warriors are on a five-game winning run, which includes the 60-point drubbing of Hull KR, but Shaun Wane is expecting a closer contest on neutral territory.
"They'll have a different attitude this week," Wane said. "We need to make sure we defend well.
"It's the biggest game of the year so far. I'm sure the Wigan fans will get behind us and make it a home game."
Wigan Warriors: John Bateman, Matty Bowen, Joe Burgess, Josh Charnley, Dom Crosby, Liam Farrell, Ben Flower, Ryan Hampshire, Michael McIlorum, Lee Mossop, Sean O'Loughlin, Larne Patrick, Sam Powell, Dan Sarginson, Matty Smith, Ryan Sutton, Taulima Tautai, Joel Tomkins and George Williams.
Hull KR: Maurice Blair, John Boudebza, Terry Campese, Ben Cockayne, Jordan Cox, Kieran Dixon, James Donaldson, Sonny Esslemont, James Green, Graeme Horne, Albert Kelly, Kevin Larroyer, Tyrone McCarthy, Josh Mantellato, Aaron Ollett, Ken Sio, Dane Tilse, Adam Walker, Kris Welham.
Watch Wigan Warriors v Hull KR live on Sky Sports 3 on Friday from 7.55pm