Whitehaven have to make a return trip to Humberside this weekend to take on Goole Vikings again.
Last week’s remarkable finish saw them score three late tries to beat the Vikings in the Championship and pocket two valuable points.
Sunday’s repeat fixture is in the first round of the 1895 Cup for which both sides had preliminary round byes.
James Newton has made just one change to his 21 man squad with Xenden Callander coming into the squad to replace Seth Woodend who is cup tied due to his appearance in the preliminary round for Barrow.
As for Goole, Callum Rutland is determined to make up for lost time — and is now pushing for a recall after enduring a nightmare two-year spell disrupted by serious injury.
A knee injury, followed by a broken leg, severely limited Rutland’s opportunities in recent seasons whilst representing Hull FC and amateur club Heworth, and he was restricted to just seven appearances during the club’s inaugural campaign in 2025.
But now fully fit, he is has proven to be a useful and versatile member of the squad, impressing at both half back and hooker this season.
Now back available and eager for a consistent run of games, Rutland knows the next step is turning that fitness into performances — starting, he hopes, this weekend in the cup.
Goole make three changes from last week with Warrington loanees Flynn Holden and Ewan Smith returning home and Josh Guzdek injured.
Ben Dent, Ben Hodder and Liam Watts come into the squad.
- Whitehaven squad: Bickerdike, Blinkhorn, Brennan, Brown, Holgate, Holliday, Kellett, Newbegin, Nixon, B Pearce, J Pearce, Polec, Shackley, Smith, Todd, Eccleston, Walker-Taylor, Walker, Weatherill, Williamson, Callander.
- Goole Vikings: Aldous, Arnold, Barley, Bullock, Craig, Dent, Ferres, Halliday, Hodder, Hodgson, Holdstock, Harman, Howlett, Jubb, Miller, Rutland, Shaw, Staveley, Tomlinson, Tuohey, Watts.
