MICHAEL McILORUM has been named in Hull KR’s 21-man squad for the Super League Grand Final.
The veteran hooker last played in early August after suffering an ankle fracture in training, but is hoping to enjoy an Old Trafford swansong before retirement.
Robins head coach Willie Peters said on Tuesday that he would “give him until the end of the week” to prove his fitness, after he narrowly missed out on their semi-final win over St Helens.
McIlorum returned ahead of schedule from a ruptured bicep for June’s Challenge Cup final win, when Hull KR beat Warrington Wolves.
Having since lifted the League Leaders’ Shield, Rovers are aiming to complete the treble by beating Wigan Warriors on Saturday.
Other than the McIlorum doubt, they have a full-strength team available, with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves to get his own farewell on the big stage after his suspension for a high tackle was overturned.
With fullback Arthur Mourgue given the all-clear after a potential knock against Saints, the only change to their squad from the semi-final is winger Noah Booth replacing forward Eribe Doro.
The only likely change to their line-up would be McIlorum’s inclusion, potentially to the cost of utility man Jack Broadbent on the bench.
Wigan, meanwhile, have named an unchanged squad for the third successive match.
They will likely field the same team as for wins over Leeds Rhinos, in the final round of the regular season, and Leigh Leopards in the play-off semi-finals.
That would mean only two changes from the line-up which won the Grand Final against the same opposition last season, with Tyler Dupree (who is named in the squad) out of favour and Tom Forber injured.
Sam Walters and Brad O’Neill could both appear in their second Grand Final (Walters played in 2022 with Leeds, O’Neill in Wigan’s 2023 victory over Catalans Dragons).
Hull KR: 2 Tom Davies, 3 Peta Hiku, 4 Oliver Gildart, 5 Joe Burgess, 6 Mikey Lewis, 7 Tyrone May, 8 Sauaso Sue, 9 Jez Litten, 10 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 11 Dean Hadley, 12 James Batchelor, 13 Elliot Minchella, 14 Michael McIlorum, 15 Sam Luckley, 16 Jai Whitbread, 17 Rhyse Martin, 18 Jack Broadbent, 20 Kelepi Tanginoa, 21 Jack Brown, 35 Arthur Mourgue, 36 Noah Booth.
Wigan: 1 Jai Field, 2 Abbas Miski, 3 Adam Keighran, 4 Jake Wardle, 5 Liam Marshall, 6 Bevan French, 7 Harry Smith, 8 Ethan Havard, 9 Brad O’Neill, 10 Luke Thompson, 11 Junior Nsemba, 12 Liam Farrell, 13 Kaide Ellis, 15 Patrick Mago, 16 Liam Byrne, 17 Kruise Leeming, 19 Tyler Dupree, 20 Harvie Hill, 21 Sam Walters, 22 Zach Eckersley, 24 Jack Farrimond.