Image source: SWPix
Image caption: St Helens face Wigan Warriors in a derby clash to open the men’s Challenge Cup semi-final weekend.
Four teams remain in the hunt for Challenge Cup glory.
This weekend features two compelling men’s Challenge Cup semi-finals, pitting four of Super League’s top five sides against each other. Alongside the women’s Challenge Cup semi-finals scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, rugby league fans are in for a massive weekend.
St Helens and Wigan kick off the action in what promises to be a fierce derby for a spot at Wembley. On Sunday, last year’s final will be reprised as Warrington take on defending champions Hull KR.
Both matches are broadcast live on the BBC, with coverage available on television, iPlayer, and the BBC Sport website (though this platform reference is removed per guidelines). As teams vie for a place in the showpiece on 30 May, here’s how the camps are feeling.
**Can Saints Beat Wigan Again?**
Wigan face St Helens for the second time this season, with the first encounter producing one of the most memorable derby days ever. Loanee Bill Leyland scored a dramatic late pair of tries as Saints fought back to beat Matt Peet’s side 34-24 on Good Friday, recovering from a 14-point deficit late in the second half to win by 10.
“You’ve got to reflect on it. Obviously we did a little bit of reflecting during the review process of that game,” Peet told BBC Radio Manchester. “Some of that still stands and we’ll talk about it again this week. But it’s not just the last 10 minutes—it’s lessons learned from the whole game.”
Since that defeat, Wigan have lost two of four matches in all competitions, with one win coming in their thrilling Challenge Cup victory at Wakefield last month.
“You can look at the last 10 minutes and why that happened, and ways of changing momentum,” Wigan half-back Harry Smith said. “When we don’t have momentum, how do we win it back quicker and be more effective? We can definitely take lessons from that game and the past three.”
**St Helens v Wigan Warriors – Challenge Cup Semi-Final**
Saturday, 9 May – 14:30 BST
Watch on iPlayer, listen on Sounds, watch on BBC One, listen on BBC Radio sports extra 2, BBC Radio Merseyside, and BBC Radio Manchester; live text on the BBC Sport website and app.
St Helens boss Paul Rowley is sticking to basics, treating the semi-final like any other game. “We’re just preparing like we would any other game, and that is a fact,” Rowley said. “The really exciting story is that it’s Saints v Wigan, a derby, a Challenge Cup semi-final—many ingredients make it as big a game as possible. We understand what it means to the towns and our supporters, and we’re embracing it.”
While Wigan’s form has been inconsistent in 2026, St Helens are on a five-game winning streak, starting with that dramatic derby win. But Jonny Lomax downplays form as a key indicator. “Sometimes form is irrelevant; it’s about the team on the day, even more so in a semi-final,” the St Helens stand-off said. “Form goes out the window—you hear it with the romance of the cup. It’s only added to because of the derby. It’s who’s up for it on the day, isn’t it?”
**Final Four Eye Wembley Challenge Cup Opportunity**
**Injury-Hit Warrington Target Holders Hull KR**
Will it be third time lucky for Sam Burgess’ Warrington?