ROBERT Hicks will referee Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final between The Wire and Catalans Dragons.

Hicks will be the man in the middle at Wembley Stadium for the first time having taken charge of Catalans’ semi-final win over St Helens in Bolton.

This will not be the first time he has taken charge of a major final involving Wolves, after he refereed their 2016 Super League Grand Final defeat to Wigan Warriors.

Richard Thompson and Liam Moore will be touch judges, while Ben Thaler will serve as the video referee.

“Robert has delivered consistently high level performances throughout 2018,” said the RFL’s head of match officials Steve Ganson.

“This appointment is a recognition of those efforts.

“I am also very pleased to appoint what we consider to be a very strong and experienced match officials team.”

Chris Kendall, who refereed Warrington’s semi-final win over Leeds, is the reserve referee and Marcus Griffiths is reserve touch judge.