Hull KR boss Willie Peters provides late team news as he reacts to Bevan French surprise

Whitbread has remained in Hull for the birth of his first child, ruling the ever-present prop out of Saturday's Challenge Cup final against Wigan Warriors.

The blow has at least been softened by the availability of Dean Hadley, who has been cleared to play after overcoming an injury scare.

When asked about Whitbread's situation at Wembley on Friday, Peters said: "The deadline was this morning.

"It's important he's with his partner. It's his first baby. At the end of the day, I would have supported any decision that he ran with.

"We spoke a few weeks prior and understood there was a possibility he could miss the game. At 7am, he called me and they haven't had the baby yet so it's best he stays around his partner.

"Babies are miracles. They need to come when they're ready and who knows when that'll be.

"What we do here is unbelievable but there's no better feeling than having kids. I say that from experience.

"He's been a big part of what we've done here. Now it's about his team-mates doing it for him."

Hadley's participation was in doubt after he suffered a hamstring strain in last week's Super League win over Wigan but he is fit to start at Wembley.

Peters insists the decision was not influenced by Whitbread's late withdrawal.

"It's huge for us," he said. "He's been a massive part of what we've built and a major reason why we're in positions like this. He's so important to us.

"There was something on the scan but it was a better spot. He had to go through some protocols during the week and is good to go.

"We plan on Dean playing the full game. That decision is definitely not based around Jai not coming down."

Rovers are not the only side carrying an intriguing selection storyline into Wembley after Wigan named Bevan French in their squad.

The star half-back was ruled out for four months with a hamstring tear sustained in early March but he is in line to feature on Saturday.

"I didn’t expect him to be named based on previous reports," added Peters. "But I'm expecting him to play now. Our plan won’t change.

"If it's the injury they said it was then there's a risk. But who knows. I'm not in the Wigan side and don't know the extent of the injury."

Saturday's Wembley showpiece marks KR's third Challenge Cup final appearance in four years.

Although they lifted the trophy last year after a hard-fought win over Warrington Wolves, Peters concedes the national stadium has yet to see the best of his side.

"When we first started, we weren't shy about saying that we wanted to chase trophies," he said. "It's something we strove to do – and we're still striving to do it now.

"We're certainly not here to make the numbers up. We want to put in a strong performance.

"We probably haven't performed the way we can at Wembley. We got one result from that, albeit in the last three minutes.

"If we put in a better performance – a Hull KR performance – then it'll give us a better opportunity of securing a result."

That version of Rovers was on show in last year's Grand Final when they produced a complete performance to overpower Wigan at Old Trafford.

The two clubs have become familiar foes on the biggest stages after forging one of the modern game's fiercest rivalries.

"I remember Matty (Peet) saying after one of the games that they'll be playing us in the bigger games," said Peters. "I remember thinking that was a great compliment because of where Wigan were and the kind of club they are.

"They were the kind of club we were striving to be – not the same as Wigan but similar in terms of their values and what they stand for. They want to win things and achieve that.

"It's always good to hear a compliment but you've got to deliver. We have played them in a number of big games now and there's a healthy rivalry.

"Both teams respect each other but both of us want to win."