Hull KR forward James Batchelor expects emotion to define Warrington Wolves semi-final

The losing finalists are left with something else entirely: the lingering pain of what might have been.

That is the backdrop to Sunday's semi-final between Hull KR and Warrington Wolves.

Sam Burgess' side were denied in the dying moments of last year’s decider, undone by Tom Davies' late intervention in the Wembley rain.

Twelve months earlier, it was Wigan Warriors who broke their hearts beneath the Arch.

James Batchelor has lived both sides of it – a loser's medal in defeat followed two years later by the joy of winning it.

Batchelor knows this semi-final will be shaped as much by emotion as anything else.

"That will definitely drive them on," he said, reflecting on the 2025 final.

"I remember the feeling after we lost the Challenge Cup final in my first year and it does drive you on.

"We are the holders of the cup but you don't just get to keep it – you've got to go out and win it again.

"We're in that position where technically we are the holders but as far as I'm concerned, nobody has got the trophy at the moment. We're in a semi-final and have to go win it again instead of just expecting to keep hold of it.

"We want that feeling that we got last year when we lifted the trophy. We need to use that to fuel us because we know the emotions they'll have from the past two years will be fuelling them."

Rovers have been ever-presents at this stage of the competition during Batchelor's time at the club.

Indeed, they last failed to reach the semi-finals in 2021.

A win at Doncaster would send Willie Peters' side into a third final in four years.

"It's something you don't take for granted," said Batchelor.

"We want to be in these games and sort of expect ourselves to be in the big games every year. We've put ourselves in that position.

"They'd made semi-finals before I came to the club and the talk was about improving on that and making big games the norm for the club.

"That's what we spoke about and we've delivered on that."

The last time they visited the Eco-Power Stadium in the Challenge Cup in 2024, the Robins were humbled by Wigan.

Rovers return this weekend with all four trophies in their possession and a different mentality entirely.

"We're not turning up with an arrogance," said Batchelor. "But we're confident every week because of what we do at training and what we've done previously.

"We're a very different group from that one that went to Doncaster a couple of years ago. We had some tough conversations in the week after that and that probably spurred us on to where we are now.

"We're definitely a different team going back."

Batchelor has been a central figure in KR's remarkable rise after joining the club at the same time as Peters.

But while the back-rower will continue on that journey, his coach is on his farewell tour after accepting a new challenge with the PNG Chiefs.

Rovers are not allowing the wider narrative to distract from the task in front of them.

"It's not been spoken about," added Batchelor.

"The focus is on Warrington this week. We want to win the competition but you can't win the competition without winning the semi.

"There are a million things you could probably look at and take little bits of inspiration from and say that's why we're doing it.

"But we've not spoken about any of that; all we've spoken about is playing Warrington this week."

To set up a Wembley date with Wigan or St Helens later this month, the Robins must find a way to shackle the free-scoring Wire.

Only Leeds Rhinos have scored more Super League points than Burgess' men, who sit third in the table above Rovers.

"I'm expecting the best Warrington," said Batchelor.

"There has been a lot of talk about them having a couple of players out but the players that fill the void are very good players capable of delivering in big games.

"We know the best Warrington are going to turn up individually and collectively. We need to make sure the best Hull KR turn up as well."

Rovers have certainly peaked at the right time for this semi-final, stringing together six wins at a canter.

Now, they must show their big-game mentality once more.

"We have definitely improved," said Batchelor. "That's something that we identified – that we need to get better week in, week out.

"Even in the games where you've played well, there are still things you can look at and improve on. That's what we've done this week and that's no different to any other week.

"It's a bit of a different game this week. The past few weeks we've scored a lot of points but we expect that to be different in a semi-final against a very good team who work hard for each other and don't give up on anything.

"We're expecting them to come both barrels. It'll be a test of our discipline and patience."