Remove Hamcrest use from RestTestClient

Closes gh-35702

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/reactive/server/CookieAssertions.java

@@ -16,10 +16,14 @@
 
 package org.springframework.test.web.reactive.server;
 
+import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
+
 import org.springframework.http.ResponseCookie;
 import org.springframework.test.web.support.AbstractCookieAssertions;
 import org.springframework.util.MultiValueMap;
 
+import static org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert.assertThat;
+
 /**
  * Assertions on cookies of the response.
  *
@@ -45,4 +49,56 @@ public class CookieAssertions extends AbstractCookieAssertions<ExchangeResult, W
 		getExchangeResult().assertWithDiagnostics(assertion);
 	}
 
+
+	/**
+	 * Assert the value of the response cookie with the given name with a Hamcrest
+	 * {@link Matcher}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec value(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
+		String value = getCookie(name).getValue();
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
+			String message = getMessage(name);
+			assertThat(message, value, matcher);
+		});
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
+
+	/**
+	 * Assert a cookie's "Max-Age" attribute with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec maxAge(String name, Matcher<? super Long> matcher) {
+		long maxAge = getCookie(name).getMaxAge().getSeconds();
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
+			String message = getMessage(name) + " maxAge";
+			assertThat(message, maxAge, matcher);
+		});
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Assert a cookie's "Path" attribute with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec path(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
+		String path = getCookie(name).getPath();
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
+			String message = getMessage(name) + " path";
+			assertThat(message, path, matcher);
+		});
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Assert a cookie's "Domain" attribute with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec domain(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
+		String domain = getCookie(name).getDomain();
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
+			String message = getMessage(name) + " domain";
+			assertThat(message, domain, matcher);
+		});
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
+
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/reactive/server/HeaderAssertions.java

@@ -16,9 +16,15 @@
 
 package org.springframework.test.web.reactive.server;
 
+import java.util.List;
+
+import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
+
 import org.springframework.http.HttpHeaders;
 import org.springframework.test.web.support.AbstractHeaderAssertions;
 
+import static org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert.assertThat;
+
 /**
  * Assertions on headers of the response.
  *
@@ -47,4 +53,35 @@ public class HeaderAssertions extends AbstractHeaderAssertions<ExchangeResult, W
 		getExchangeResult().assertWithDiagnostics(assertion);
 	}
 
+
+
+	/**
+	 * Assert the first value of the response header with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 * @param name the header name
+	 * @param matcher the matcher to use
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec value(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
+		String value = getResponseHeaders().getFirst(name);
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
+			String message = getMessage(name);
+			assertThat(message, value, matcher);
+		});
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Assert all values of the response header with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 * @param name the header name
+	 * @param matcher the matcher to use
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec values(String name, Matcher<? super Iterable<String>> matcher) {
+		List<String> values = getResponseHeaders().get(name);
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
+			String message = getMessage(name);
+			assertThat(message, values, matcher);
+		});
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
+
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/reactive/server/JsonPathAssertions.java

@@ -17,8 +17,10 @@
 package org.springframework.test.web.reactive.server;
 
 import com.jayway.jsonpath.Configuration;
+import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
 
+import org.springframework.core.ParameterizedTypeReference;
 import org.springframework.test.util.JsonPathExpectationsHelper;
 import org.springframework.test.web.support.AbstractJsonPathAssertions;
 
@@ -41,4 +43,31 @@ public class JsonPathAssertions extends AbstractJsonPathAssertions<WebTestClient
 
 		super(spec, content, expression, configuration);
 	}
+
+
+
+	/**
+	 * Delegates to {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Matcher)}.
+	 */
+	public <T> WebTestClient.BodyContentSpec value(Matcher<? super T> matcher) {
+		getPathHelper().assertValue(getContent(), matcher);
+		return getBodySpec();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Delegates to {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Matcher, Class)}.
+	 */
+	public <T> WebTestClient.BodyContentSpec value(Class<T> targetType, Matcher<? super T> matcher) {
+		getPathHelper().assertValue(getContent(), matcher, targetType);
+		return getBodySpec();
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Delegates to {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Matcher, ParameterizedTypeReference)}.
+	 */
+	public <T> WebTestClient.BodyContentSpec value(ParameterizedTypeReference<T> targetType, Matcher<? super T> matcher) {
+		getPathHelper().assertValue(getContent(), matcher, targetType);
+		return getBodySpec();
+	}
+
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/reactive/server/StatusAssertions.java

@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@
 
 package org.springframework.test.web.reactive.server;
 
+import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
+
 import org.springframework.http.HttpStatusCode;
 import org.springframework.test.web.support.AbstractStatusAssertions;
 
@@ -45,4 +48,14 @@ public class StatusAssertions extends AbstractStatusAssertions<ExchangeResult, W
 		getExchangeResult().assertWithDiagnostics(assertion);
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Match the response status value with a Hamcrest matcher.
+	 * @param matcher the matcher to use
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.ResponseSpec value(Matcher<? super Integer> matcher) {
+		int actual = getStatus().value();
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> MatcherAssert.assertThat("Response status", actual, matcher));
+		return getResponseSpec();
+	}
+
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/reactive/server/XpathAssertions.java

@@ -19,9 +19,11 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.reactive.server;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 
+import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import org.springframework.http.HttpHeaders;
+import org.springframework.test.util.XpathExpectationsHelper;
 import org.springframework.test.web.support.AbstractXpathAssertions;
 import org.springframework.util.Assert;
 
@@ -55,4 +57,26 @@ public class XpathAssertions extends AbstractXpathAssertions<WebTestClient.BodyC
 		Assert.notNull(body, "Expected body content");
 		return body;
 	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Delegates to {@link XpathExpectationsHelper#assertString(byte[], String, Matcher)}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.BodyContentSpec string(Matcher<? super String> matcher){
+		return assertWith(() -> getXpathHelper().assertString(getContent(), getCharset(), matcher));
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Delegates to {@link XpathExpectationsHelper#assertNumber(byte[], String, Matcher)}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.BodyContentSpec number(Matcher<? super Double> matcher){
+		return assertWith(() -> getXpathHelper().assertNumber(getContent(), getCharset(), matcher));
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Delegates to {@link XpathExpectationsHelper#assertNodeCount(byte[], String, Matcher)}.
+	 */
+	public WebTestClient.BodyContentSpec nodeCount(Matcher<? super Integer> matcher){
+		return assertWith(() -> getXpathHelper().assertNodeCount(getContent(), getCharset(), matcher));
+	}
+
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/DefaultRestTestClient.java

@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicLong;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 import java.util.function.Function;
 
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
-import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import org.springframework.core.ParameterizedTypeReference;
@@ -380,26 +378,20 @@ class DefaultRestTestClient implements RestTestClient {
 		}
 
 		@Override
-		public <T extends S> T value(Matcher<? super @Nullable B> matcher) {
-			this.result.assertWithDiagnostics(() -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(this.result.getResponseBody(), matcher));
+		public <T extends S> T value(Consumer<@Nullable B> consumer) {
+			this.result.assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(this.result.getResponseBody()));
 			return self();
 		}
 
 		@Override
-		public <T extends S, R> T value(Function<@Nullable B, @Nullable R> bodyMapper, Matcher<? super @Nullable R> matcher) {
+		public <T extends S, R> T value(Function<@Nullable B, @Nullable R> bodyMapper, Consumer<? super @Nullable R> consumer) {
 			this.result.assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
 				B body = this.result.getResponseBody();
-				MatcherAssert.assertThat(bodyMapper.apply(body), matcher);
+				consumer.accept(bodyMapper.apply(body));
 			});
 			return self();
 		}
 
-		@Override
-		public <T extends S> T value(Consumer<@Nullable B> consumer) {
-			this.result.assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(this.result.getResponseBody()));
-			return self();
-		}
-
 		@Override
 		public <T extends S> T consumeWith(Consumer<EntityExchangeResult<B>> consumer) {
 			this.result.assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(this.result));

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/RestTestClient.java

@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 import java.util.function.Function;
 
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import org.springframework.core.ParameterizedTypeReference;
@@ -682,20 +681,15 @@ public interface RestTestClient {
 		<T extends S> T isEqualTo(@Nullable B expected);
 
 		/**
-		 * Assert the extracted body with a {@link Matcher}.
+		 * Assert the extracted body with a {@link Consumer}.
 		 */
-		<T extends S> T value(Matcher<? super @Nullable B> matcher);
+		<T extends S> T value(Consumer<@Nullable B> consumer);
 
 		/**
 		 * Transform the extracted the body with a function, for example, extracting a
-		 * property, and assert the mapped value with a {@link Matcher}.
+		 * property, and assert the mapped value with a {@link Consumer}.
 		 */
-		<T extends S, R> T value(Function<@Nullable B, @Nullable R> bodyMapper, Matcher<? super @Nullable R> matcher);
-
-		/**
-		 * Assert the extracted body with a {@link Consumer}.
-		 */
-		<T extends S> T value(Consumer<@Nullable B> consumer);
+		<T extends S, R> T value(Function<@Nullable B, @Nullable R> bodyMapper, Consumer<? super @Nullable R> consumer);
 
 		/**
 		 * Assert the exchange result with the given {@link Consumer}.

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/AbstractCookieAssertions.java

@@ -19,14 +19,10 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.support;
 import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
-import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
-
 import org.springframework.http.ResponseCookie;
 import org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors;
 import org.springframework.util.MultiValueMap;
 
-import static org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert.assertThat;
 import static org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors.assertEquals;
 import static org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors.fail;
 
@@ -59,6 +55,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 		return this.exchangeResult;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Return the response spec.
+	 */
+	protected R getResponseSpec() {
+		return this.responseSpec;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Subclasses must implement this to provide access to response cookies.
 	 */
@@ -83,19 +86,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * Assert the value of the response cookie with the given name with a Hamcrest
-	 * {@link Matcher}.
-	 */
-	public R value(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
-		String value = getCookie(name).getValue();
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
-			String message = getMessage(name);
-			MatcherAssert.assertThat(message, value, matcher);
-		});
-		return this.responseSpec;
-	}
-
 	/**
 	 * Consume the value of the response cookie with the given name.
 	 */
@@ -138,14 +128,11 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Assert a cookie's "Max-Age" attribute with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 * Assert a cookie's "Max-Age" attribute with a {@link Consumer}.
 	 */
-	public R maxAge(String name, Matcher<? super Long> matcher) {
+	public R maxAge(String name, Consumer<Long> consumer) {
 		long maxAge = getCookie(name).getMaxAge().getSeconds();
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
-			String message = getMessage(name) + " maxAge";
-			assertThat(message, maxAge, matcher);
-		});
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(maxAge));
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
@@ -161,17 +148,12 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
-
-
 	/**
-	 * Assert a cookie's "Path" attribute with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 * Assert a cookie's "Path" attribute with a {@link Consumer}.
 	 */
-	public R path(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
+	public R path(String name, Consumer<String> consumer) {
 		String path = getCookie(name).getPath();
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
-			String message = getMessage(name) + " path";
-			assertThat(message, path, matcher);
-		});
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(path));
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
@@ -188,14 +170,11 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 	}
 
 	/**
-	 * Assert a cookie's "Domain" attribute with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
+	 * Assert a cookie's "Domain" attribute with a {@link Consumer}.
 	 */
-	public R domain(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
+	public R domain(String name, Consumer<String> consumer) {
 		String domain = getCookie(name).getDomain();
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
-			String message = getMessage(name) + " domain";
-			assertThat(message, domain, matcher);
-		});
+		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(domain));
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
@@ -247,7 +226,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
-	private ResponseCookie getCookie(String name) {
+	protected ResponseCookie getCookie(String name) {
 		ResponseCookie cookie = getResponseCookies().getFirst(name);
 		if (cookie != null) {
 			return cookie;
@@ -258,7 +237,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractCookieAssertions<E, R> {
 		throw new IllegalStateException("This code path should not be reachable");
 	}
 
-	private static String getMessage(String cookie) {
+	protected String getMessage(String cookie) {
 		return "Response cookie '" + cookie + "'";
 	}
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/AbstractHeaderAssertions.java

@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import org.springframework.http.CacheControl;
@@ -30,7 +29,6 @@ import org.springframework.http.HttpHeaders;
 import org.springframework.http.MediaType;
 import org.springframework.util.CollectionUtils;
 
-import static org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert.assertThat;
 import static org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors.assertEquals;
 import static org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors.assertNotNull;
 import static org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors.assertTrue;
@@ -65,6 +63,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractHeaderAssertions <E, R> {
 		return this.exchangeResult;
 	}
 
+	protected R getResponseSpec() {
+		return this.responseSpec;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Subclasses must implement this to provide access to response headers.
 	 */
@@ -154,41 +156,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractHeaderAssertions <E, R> {
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * Assert the first value of the response header with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
-	 * @param name the header name
-	 * @param matcher the matcher to use
-	 */
-	public R value(String name, Matcher<? super String> matcher) {
-		String value = getResponseHeaders().getFirst(name);
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
-			String message = getMessage(name);
-			assertThat(message, value, matcher);
-		});
-		return this.responseSpec;
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Assert all values of the response header with a Hamcrest {@link Matcher}.
-	 * @param name the header name
-	 * @param matcher the matcher to use
-	 */
-	public R values(String name, Matcher<? super Iterable<String>> matcher) {
-		List<String> values = getResponseHeaders().get(name);
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> {
-			String message = getMessage(name);
-			assertThat(message, values, matcher);
-		});
-		return this.responseSpec;
-	}
-
 	/**
 	 * Consume the first value of the named response header.
 	 * @param name the header name
 	 * @param consumer the consumer to use
 	 */
 	public R value(String name, Consumer<String> consumer) {
-		String value = getRequiredValue(name);
+		String value = getResponseHeaders().getFirst(name);
 		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(value));
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
@@ -199,7 +173,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractHeaderAssertions <E, R> {
 	 * @param consumer the consumer to use
 	 */
 	public R values(String name, Consumer<List<String>> consumer) {
-		List<String> values = getRequiredValues(name);
+		List<String> values = getResponseHeaders().get(name);
 		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> consumer.accept(values));
 		return this.responseSpec;
 	}
@@ -323,7 +297,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractHeaderAssertions <E, R> {
 		throw new IllegalStateException("This code path should not be reachable");
 	}
 
-	private static String getMessage(String headerName) {
+	protected String getMessage(String headerName) {
 		return "Response header '" + headerName + "'";
 	}
 }

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/AbstractJsonPathAssertions.java

@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.support;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 import com.jayway.jsonpath.Configuration;
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import org.springframework.core.ParameterizedTypeReference;
@@ -55,6 +54,19 @@ public abstract class AbstractJsonPathAssertions<B> {
 	}
 
 
+	protected B getBodySpec() {
+		return this.bodySpec;
+	}
+
+	protected String getContent() {
+		return this.content;
+	}
+
+	protected JsonPathExpectationsHelper getPathHelper() {
+		return this.pathHelper;
+	}
+
+
 	/**
 	 * Applies {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Object)}.
 	 */
@@ -143,30 +155,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractJsonPathAssertions<B> {
 		return this.bodySpec;
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * Delegates to {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Matcher)}.
-	 */
-	public <T> B value(Matcher<? super T> matcher) {
-		this.pathHelper.assertValue(this.content, matcher);
-		return this.bodySpec;
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Delegates to {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Matcher, Class)}.
-	 */
-	public <T> B value(Class<T> targetType, Matcher<? super T> matcher) {
-		this.pathHelper.assertValue(this.content, matcher, targetType);
-		return this.bodySpec;
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Delegates to {@link JsonPathExpectationsHelper#assertValue(String, Matcher, ParameterizedTypeReference)}.
-	 */
-	public <T> B value(ParameterizedTypeReference<T> targetType, Matcher<? super T> matcher) {
-		this.pathHelper.assertValue(this.content, matcher, targetType);
-		return this.bodySpec;
-	}
-
 	/**
 	 * Consume the result of the JSONPath evaluation.
 	 */

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/AbstractStatusAssertions.java

@@ -18,9 +18,6 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.support;
 
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
-import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
-
 import org.springframework.http.HttpStatus;
 import org.springframework.http.HttpStatusCode;
 import org.springframework.test.util.AssertionErrors;
@@ -56,6 +53,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractStatusAssertions<E, R> {
 		return this.exchangeResult;
 	}
 
+	protected R getResponseSpec() {
+		return this.responseSpec;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Subclasses must implement this to provide access to the response status.
 	 */
@@ -229,16 +230,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractStatusAssertions<E, R> {
 		return assertSeriesAndReturn(HttpStatus.Series.SERVER_ERROR);
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * Match the response status value with a Hamcrest matcher.
-	 * @param matcher the matcher to use
-	 */
-	public R value(Matcher<? super Integer> matcher) {
-		int actual = getStatus().value();
-		assertWithDiagnostics(() -> MatcherAssert.assertThat("Response status", actual, matcher));
-		return this.responseSpec;
-	}
-
 	/**
 	 * Consume the response status value as an integer.
 	 * @param consumer the consumer to use

spring-test/src/main/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/AbstractXpathAssertions.java

@@ -23,8 +23,8 @@ import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 import javax.xml.xpath.XPathExpressionException;
 
-import org.hamcrest.Matcher;
 import org.jspecify.annotations.Nullable;
+import org.w3c.dom.NodeList;
 
 import org.springframework.http.HttpHeaders;
 import org.springframework.test.util.XpathExpectationsHelper;
@@ -71,6 +71,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractXpathAssertions<B> {
 		return this.bodySpec;
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * Return the XpathExpectationsHelper.
+	 */
+	protected XpathExpectationsHelper getXpathHelper() {
+		return this.xpathHelper;
+	}
+
 	/**
 	 * Subclasses must implement this to provide access to response headers.
 	 */
@@ -124,27 +131,6 @@ public abstract class AbstractXpathAssertions<B> {
 		return assertWith(() -> this.xpathHelper.assertNodeCount(getContent(), getCharset(), expectedCount));
 	}
 
-	/**
-	 * Delegates to {@link XpathExpectationsHelper#assertString(byte[], String, Matcher)}.
-	 */
-	public B string(Matcher<? super String> matcher){
-		return assertWith(() -> this.xpathHelper.assertString(getContent(), getCharset(), matcher));
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Delegates to {@link XpathExpectationsHelper#assertNumber(byte[], String, Matcher)}.
-	 */
-	public B number(Matcher<? super Double> matcher){
-		return assertWith(() -> this.xpathHelper.assertNumber(getContent(), getCharset(), matcher));
-	}
-
-	/**
-	 * Delegates to {@link XpathExpectationsHelper#assertNodeCount(byte[], String, Matcher)}.
-	 */
-	public B nodeCount(Matcher<? super Integer> matcher){
-		return assertWith(() -> this.xpathHelper.assertNodeCount(getContent(), getCharset(), matcher));
-	}
-
 	/**
 	 * Consume the result of the XPath evaluation as a String.
 	 */
@@ -170,12 +156,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractXpathAssertions<B> {
 	 */
 	public B nodeCount(Consumer<Integer> consumer){
 		return assertWith(() -> {
-			Integer value = this.xpathHelper.evaluateXpath(getContent(), getCharset(), Integer.class);
+			NodeList nodeList = this.xpathHelper.evaluateXpath(getContent(), getCharset(), NodeList.class);
+			Integer value = (nodeList != null ? nodeList.getLength() : null);
 			consumer.accept(value);
 		});
 	}
 
-	private B assertWith(CheckedExceptionTask task) {
+	protected B assertWith(CheckedExceptionTask task) {
 		try {
 			task.run();
 		}
@@ -185,7 +172,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractXpathAssertions<B> {
 		return this.bodySpec;
 	}
 
-	private String getCharset() {
+	protected String getCharset() {
 		return getResponseHeaders()
 				.map(HttpHeaders::getContentType)
 				.map(MimeType::getCharset)
@@ -210,7 +197,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractXpathAssertions<B> {
 	 * Lets us be able to use lambda expressions that could throw checked exceptions, since
 	 * {@link XpathExpectationsHelper} throws {@link Exception} on its methods.
 	 */
-	private interface CheckedExceptionTask {
+	protected interface CheckedExceptionTask {
 
 		void run() throws Exception;
 

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/JsonPathAssertionTests.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import java.util.Arrays;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.http.HttpHeaders;
@@ -101,8 +102,8 @@ class JsonPathAssertionTests {
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
 				.expectHeader().contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
 				.expectBody()
-				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(equalTo("Johann Sebastian Bach"))
-				.jsonPath("$.performers[1].name").value(equalTo("Yehudi Menuhin"));
+				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("Johann Sebastian Bach")))
+				.jsonPath("$.performers[1].name").value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("Yehudi Menuhin")));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -110,10 +111,10 @@ class JsonPathAssertionTests {
 		client.get().uri("/music/people")
 				.exchange()
 				.expectBody()
-				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(startsWith("Johann"))
-				.jsonPath("$.performers[0].name").value(endsWith("Ashkenazy"))
-				.jsonPath("$.performers[1].name").value(containsString("di Me"))
-				.jsonPath("$.composers[1].name").value(is(in(Arrays.asList("Johann Sebastian Bach", "Johannes Brahms"))));
+				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(String.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, startsWith("Johann")))
+				.jsonPath("$.performers[0].name").value(String.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, endsWith("Ashkenazy")))
+				.jsonPath("$.performers[1].name").value(String.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, containsString("di Me")))
+				.jsonPath("$.composers[1].name").value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, is(in(Arrays.asList("Johann Sebastian Bach", "Johannes Brahms")))));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -121,11 +122,11 @@ class JsonPathAssertionTests {
 		client.get().uri("/music/people")
 				.exchange()
 				.expectBody()
-				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(String.class, startsWith("Johann"))
+				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(String.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, startsWith("Johann")))
 				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(String.class, s -> assertThat(s).startsWith("Johann"))
 				.jsonPath("$.composers[0].name").value(o -> assertThat((String) o).startsWith("Johann"))
-				.jsonPath("$.performers[1].name").value(containsString("di Me"))
-				.jsonPath("$.composers[1].name").value(is(in(Arrays.asList("Johann Sebastian Bach", "Johannes Brahms"))));
+				.jsonPath("$.performers[1].name").value(String.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, containsString("di Me")))
+				.jsonPath("$.composers[1].name").value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, is(in(Arrays.asList("Johann Sebastian Bach", "Johannes Brahms")))));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/RestTestClientTests.java

@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import jakarta.servlet.http.Cookie;
 import jakarta.servlet.http.HttpServletRequest;
 import jakarta.servlet.http.HttpServletResponse;
-import org.hamcrest.Matchers;
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Nested;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ import org.springframework.web.bind.annotation.RestController;
 import org.springframework.web.util.DefaultUriBuilderFactory;
 
 import static org.assertj.core.api.Assertions.assertThat;
+import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.equalTo;
 
 /**
  * Tests using the {@link RestTestClient} API.
@@ -285,7 +286,7 @@ class RestTestClientTests {
 		void testExpectCookie() {
 			RestTestClientTests.this.client.get().uri("/test")
 					.exchange()
-					.expectCookie().value("session", Matchers.equalTo("abc"));
+					.expectCookie().value("session", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("abc")));
 		}
 	}
 

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/samples/JsonContentTests.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.servlet.client.samples;
 import java.net.URI;
 import java.util.List;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.http.MediaType;
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ class JsonContentTests {
 				.exchange()
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
 				.expectBody()
-				.jsonPath("$.firstName").value(containsString("oh"));
+				.jsonPath("$.firstName").value(String.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, containsString("oh")));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/samples/ResponseEntityTests.java

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.core.ParameterizedTypeReference;
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ class ResponseEntityTests {
 				.exchange()
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
 				.expectHeader().contentType(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
-				.expectBody(Person.class).value(Person::getName, startsWith("Joh"));
+				.expectBody(Person.class).value(Person::getName, name -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(name, startsWith("Joh")));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/client/samples/XmlContentTests.java

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ import jakarta.xml.bind.annotation.XmlAccessType;
 import jakarta.xml.bind.annotation.XmlAccessorType;
 import jakarta.xml.bind.annotation.XmlElement;
 import jakarta.xml.bind.annotation.XmlRootElement;
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.http.HttpHeaders;
@@ -104,7 +105,7 @@ class XmlContentTests {
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
 				.expectBody()
 				.xpath("/persons/person").nodeCount(3)
-				.xpath("/persons/person").nodeCount(equalTo(3));
+				.xpath("/persons/person").nodeCount(count -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(count, equalTo(3)));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -114,10 +115,10 @@ class XmlContentTests {
 				.exchange()
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
 				.expectBody()
-				.xpath("//person/name").string(startsWith("J"))
-				.xpath("//person/name").string(s -> {
-					if (!s.startsWith("J")) {
-						throw new AssertionError("Name does not start with J: " + s);
+				.xpath("//person/name").string(name -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(name, startsWith("J")))
+				.xpath("//person/name").string(name -> {
+					if (!name.startsWith("J")) {
+						throw new AssertionError("Name does not start with J: " + name);
 					}
 				});
 	}

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/samples/client/standalone/ResponseBodyTests.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
 import jakarta.validation.constraints.NotNull;
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.core.ParameterizedTypeReference;
@@ -46,8 +47,8 @@ class ResponseBodyTests {
 	void json() {
 		execute("/persons/Lee", body -> body.jsonPath("$.name").isEqualTo("Lee")
 				.jsonPath("$.age").isEqualTo(42)
-				.jsonPath("$.age").value(equalTo(42))
-				.jsonPath("$.age").value(Float.class, equalTo(42.0f)));
+				.jsonPath("$.age").value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(42)))
+				.jsonPath("$.age").value(Float.class, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(42.0f))));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/samples/client/standalone/resultmatches/CookieAssertionTests.java

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.servlet.samples.client.standalone.resultmat
 
 import java.time.Duration;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
@@ -75,12 +76,14 @@ public class CookieAssertionTests {
 	@Test
 	public void testEqualTo() {
 		client.get().uri("/").exchange().expectCookie().valueEquals(COOKIE_NAME, "en-US");
-		client.get().uri("/").exchange().expectCookie().value(COOKIE_NAME, equalTo("en-US"));
+		client.get().uri("/").exchange().expectCookie()
+				.value(COOKIE_NAME, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("en-US")));
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	public void testMatcher() {
-		client.get().uri("/").exchange().expectCookie().value(COOKIE_NAME, startsWith("en-US"));
+		client.get().uri("/").exchange().expectCookie()
+				.value(COOKIE_NAME, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, startsWith("en-US")));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/samples/client/standalone/resultmatches/HeaderAssertionTests.java

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ import java.util.Locale;
 import java.util.TimeZone;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
@@ -90,7 +91,7 @@ class HeaderAssertionTests {
 		testClient.get().uri("/persons/1").header(IF_MODIFIED_SINCE, minuteAgo)
 				.exchange()
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
-				.expectHeader().value(LAST_MODIFIED, equalTo(now));
+				.expectHeader().value(LAST_MODIFIED, v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(now)));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -106,7 +107,8 @@ class HeaderAssertionTests {
 		testClient.get().uri("/persons/1")
 				.exchange()
 				.expectStatus().isOk()
-				.expectHeader().values(VARY, hasItems(containsString("foo"), startsWith("bar")));
+				.expectHeader().values(VARY, v ->
+						MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, hasItems(containsString("foo"), startsWith("bar"))));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -140,7 +142,7 @@ class HeaderAssertionTests {
 		testClient.get().uri("/persons/1").header(IF_MODIFIED_SINCE, now)
 				.exchange()
 				.expectStatus().isNotModified()
-				.expectHeader().value("X-Custom-Header", nullValue());
+				.expectHeader().value("X-Custom-Header", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, nullValue()));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -202,8 +204,11 @@ class HeaderAssertionTests {
 		long secondLater = this.currentTime + 1000;
 		String expected = this.dateFormat.format(new Date(secondLater));
 		assertIncorrectResponseHeader(spec -> spec.expectHeader().valueEquals(LAST_MODIFIED, expected), expected);
-		assertIncorrectResponseHeader(spec -> spec.expectHeader().value(LAST_MODIFIED, equalTo(expected)), expected);
-		// Comparison by date uses HttpHeaders to format the date in the error message.
+		assertIncorrectResponseHeader(spec -> spec.expectHeader().value(LAST_MODIFIED, value -> {
+			// Comparison by date uses HttpHeaders to format the date in the error message.
+			String reason = "Response header '" + LAST_MODIFIED + "'";
+			MatcherAssert.assertThat(reason, value, equalTo(expected));
+		}), expected);
 		HttpHeaders headers = new HttpHeaders();
 		headers.setDate("expected", secondLater);
 		assertIncorrectResponseHeader(spec -> spec.expectHeader().valueEqualsDate(LAST_MODIFIED, secondLater), expected);

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/servlet/samples/client/standalone/resultmatches/StatusAssertionTests.java

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ package org.springframework.test.web.servlet.samples.client.standalone.resultmat
 import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
 import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.TestInstance;
 
@@ -71,7 +72,8 @@ class StatusAssertionTests {
 
 	@Test
 	void matcher() {
-		testClient.get().uri("/badRequest").exchange().expectStatus().value(equalTo(BAD_REQUEST.value()));
+		testClient.get().uri("/badRequest").exchange().expectStatus()
+				.value(status -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(status, equalTo(BAD_REQUEST.value())));
 	}
 
 

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/CookieAssertionsTests.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import java.io.IOException;
 import java.time.Duration;
 import java.util.Map;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.BeforeEach;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
@@ -67,8 +68,9 @@ public class CookieAssertionsTests {
 
 	@Test
 	void value() {
-		assertions.value("foo", equalTo("bar"));
-		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() -> assertions.value("foo", equalTo("what?!")));
+		assertions.value("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("bar")));
+		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class)
+				.isThrownBy(() -> assertions.value("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("what?!"))));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -96,9 +98,9 @@ public class CookieAssertionsTests {
 		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class)
 				.isThrownBy(() -> assertions.maxAge("foo", Duration.ofMinutes(29)));
 
-		assertions.maxAge("foo", equalTo(Duration.ofMinutes(30).getSeconds()));
-		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class)
-				.isThrownBy(() -> assertions.maxAge("foo", equalTo(Duration.ofMinutes(29).getSeconds())));
+		assertions.maxAge("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(Duration.ofMinutes(30).getSeconds())));
+		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() ->
+				assertions.maxAge("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(Duration.ofMinutes(29).getSeconds()))));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -106,8 +108,9 @@ public class CookieAssertionsTests {
 		assertions.domain("foo", "foo.com");
 		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() -> assertions.domain("foo", "what.com"));
 
-		assertions.domain("foo", equalTo("foo.com"));
-		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() -> assertions.domain("foo", equalTo("what.com")));
+		assertions.domain("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("foo.com")));
+		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() ->
+				assertions.domain("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("what.com"))));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -115,8 +118,9 @@ public class CookieAssertionsTests {
 		assertions.path("foo", "/foo");
 		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() -> assertions.path("foo", "/what"));
 
-		assertions.path("foo", equalTo("/foo"));
-		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() -> assertions.path("foo", equalTo("/what")));
+		assertions.path("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("/foo")));
+		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() ->
+				assertions.path("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo("/what"))));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/HeaderAssertionTests.java

@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ import java.time.ZoneId;
 import java.time.ZonedDateTime;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.http.CacheControl;
@@ -142,7 +143,7 @@ class HeaderAssertionTests {
 		headers.add("foo", "bar");
 		TestHeaderAssertions assertions = new TestHeaderAssertions(headers);
 
-		assertions.value("foo", containsString("a"));
+		assertions.value("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, containsString("a")));
 	}
 
 	@Test
@@ -152,7 +153,7 @@ class HeaderAssertionTests {
 		headers.add("foo", "baz");
 		TestHeaderAssertions assertions = new TestHeaderAssertions(headers);
 
-		assertions.values("foo", hasItems("bar", "baz"));
+		assertions.values("foo", v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, hasItems("bar", "baz")));
 	}
 
 	@Test

spring-test/src/test/java/org/springframework/test/web/support/StatusAssertionTests.java

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 package org.springframework.test.web.support;
 
+import org.hamcrest.MatcherAssert;
 import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
 
 import org.springframework.http.HttpStatus;
@@ -141,16 +142,17 @@ class StatusAssertionTests {
 		TestStatusAssertions assertions = new TestStatusAssertions(HttpStatus.CONFLICT);
 
 		// Success
-		assertions.value(equalTo(409));
-		assertions.value(greaterThan(400));
+		assertions.value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(409)));
+		assertions.value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, greaterThan(400)));
 
 		// Wrong status
-		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class).isThrownBy(() -> assertions.value(equalTo(200)));
+		assertThatExceptionOfType(AssertionError.class)
+				.isThrownBy(() -> assertions.value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(200))));
 	}
 
 	@Test
 	void matchesCustomStatusValue() {
-		new TestStatusAssertions(600).value(equalTo(600));
+		new TestStatusAssertions(600).value(v -> MatcherAssert.assertThat(v, equalTo(600)));
 	}
 
 	@Test