Newcastle Thunder confirm squad for Challenge Cup clash

Head coach Chris Thorman has today named his 21-man squad to travel to Rochdale Mayfield ARLFC.

The Betfred Challenge Cup fourth round tie kicks-off at 1pm on Saturday, April 1.

The squad sees an influx of changes from last week’s league defeat to Widnes Vikings.

After impressive features for the club’s Reserves side Max Flanagan, Mac Walsh, Jake Anderson and Nathan Rushworth all return to the fold.

Nathan Clemmitt also returns having been side-lined with an injury at the start of the season.

The loose-forward enjoyed a try-scoring feature for the Reserves in their 48-6 victory over London Broncos earlier in the month.

The squad also includes Reserves’ prop Tyler Walton for the first time this season. Walton was part of the Northumbria University side to win the National Championship on Wednesday against Leeds Beckett University in Nottingham.

Club captain Alex Foster alongside Hull FC quartet of Connor Wynne, Denive Balmforth, Matthew Laidlaw and Nick Staveley all do not feature for the Challenge Cup clash, having been involved in the side who lost last time out against Widnes Vikings.

Half back Nikau Williams is suspended for this fixture, after receiving a disciplinary charge for contact with the match official in the club's home fixture against London Broncos.

NEWCASTLE THUNDER SQUAD

(PLAYER // Player sponsor)

1 JACK JOHNSON // Sponsored by: Tony Carter Transport Ltd

2 ALEX YOUNG // Sponsored by: Autofix Washington Ltd

3 MARCUS WALKER // Sponsored by: BTS Boiler Technical

5 ALEX CLEGG // Sponsored by: Heist Store Ltd

6 ALEX DONAGHY // Sponsored by: The Tynemouth Castle Inn, part of The Inn Collection Group 

8 JAY CHAPELHOW // Sponsored by: GMR Construction

9 CURTIS DAVIES // Sponsored by: The Bamburgh Castle Inn, part of The Inn Collection Group

10 MITCH CLARK // Sponsored by: Ludwell Electrical

12 BRAD GALLAGHER // Sponsored by: Ludwell Electrical

13 CONNOR BAILEY // Sponsored by: Stakeford Tyre Services 

15 TED CHAPELHOW // Sponsored by: GMR Construction

16 RHYS CLARKE // Sponsored by: The Seaburn Inn, part of The Inn Collection Group

17 ROBERT TULIATU // Sponsored by: Wallsend Eagles

19 NATHAN CLEMMITT // Sponsored by: The Commissioners Quay Inn, part of The Inn Collection Group

22 JAKE ANDERSON // Sponsored by: Jan and Jim Neighbour

23 CONNOR MOORE // Sponsored by: Derwent View Group

25 MAX FLANAGAN // Sponsored by: National Care Network

26 MAC WALSH // Sponsored by: National Care Network

27 JACK MILLER // Sponsored by: The Parker Family

28 TYLER WALTON // AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR

29 NATHAN RUSHWORTH // AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR