It's going to be a huge few days for the veteran Hull KR hooker.
Michael McIlorum is in a race against time to end his illustrious career on his own terms, with his potential inclusion in Saturday’s Super League Grand Final carrying both risk and reward.
Hull KR will face Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford in a battle for the title, with McIlorum the only major injury concern for the showdown. Rovers full-back Arthur Mourgue has been passed fit after picking up a slight knock in the semi-final win over St Helens.
Veteran hooker McIlorum will be given every chance to prove his fitness after suffering a fractured ankle in training last month. He has missed Hull KR’s last seven games but recently returned to training.
This wouldn’t be his first injury comeback of the year. McIlorum returned six weeks early from a ruptured bicep to help Hull KR end their trophy drought at Wembley, playing his part in the 8-6 Challenge Cup Final win over Warrington Wolves in June. He returned to recovery afterward and resumed playing a month later.
In the capital, he contributed 27 impactful minutes to lay an early platform with his vast experience before Jez Litten took over - a tactic that could be repeated this weekend if the 37-year-old proves his fitness. But is that a risk Hull KR can afford?
Litten, named in this year’s Super League Dream Team, has shown he can handle 80-minute matches and is currently in the frame for England selection for the upcoming Ashes series. However, McIlorum brings nearly 400 games of top-level experience, including two Grand Final wins with Wigan in 2010 and 2013. A former England international, he is also a defensive asset in the middle, known for his aggression and game management.
At Wembley, he didn’t return to the field after his initial stint - raising the possibility he could again become an unused substitute on Saturday, a potential risk against Wigan, one of the fittest and most relentless teams in the competition and looking to retain their crown for the third year running.
Head coach Willie Peters, however, is adamant that if McIlorum is fit, he will feature.
“Hopefully Michael McIlorum plays - him and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves are two guys with huge amounts of experience,” Peter said, with the veteran prop having been cleared of a Grade C charge on Tuesday evening.
“Having those two play is certainly going to help us in terms of experience and occasion. But if they don’t make it, we’ve still got a group that has done a lot this year without them.
“Most of the group played last year, and they’ve played in the Challenge Cup now - they’ve played in big games, and that’s the key.”
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