The men’s first and second round draws and the women’s group stage draw for the Betfred Challenge Cup were made on Thursday evening at Wembley Stadium.
The iconic London stadium will play host for the first time in Challenge Cup history, both the men’s and women’s finals. The men’s winners in 2022 were Wigan Warriors who claimed their 20th title while St Helens were the winners in the women’s competition in what was the 10th edition of the tournament.
For the men’s first round draw, Dublin City Exiles are making their first appearance back in the Challenge Cup for 21 years but the wait still goes on for an Irish side to register a win in its history. They will face a trip to London for their first taste of Challenge Cup action in over two decades to take on Southern Conference League side Hammersmith Hills Hoists.
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There were also four teams who were involved in the draw for the very first time in the competition’s 127-year history. Brentwood Eels, Doncaster Toll Bar and Westgate Common are all set to make their Challenge Cup bow next month in the first round and they have been drawn against Bedford Tigers, RAF and Crosfields respectively. Betfred League One side Cornwall will make their debut in the second round draw after being formed 12 months ago and they face a trip to amateur side Rochdale Mayfield.
One of the more interesting draws for the second round included an all-Betfred League One clash between Doncaster and Oldham. As for the women’s draw, holder St Helens were placed into a competitive group three with Warrington Wolves, Castleford Tigers and London Broncos.
Men’s first round draw:
Fryston Warriors v Thornhill Trojans
Featherstone Lions v Great Britain Police
Skirlaugh v Wests Warriors
Hull Dockers v Rhonda Outlaws
London Chargers v North Herts Crusaders
Doncaster Toll Bar v RAF
Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Dublin City Exiles
Brentwood Eels v Bedford Tigers
Stanningley v Milford
Royal Navy v Barrow Island
West Bowling v Waterhead
Westgate Common v Crosfields
British Army v Ashton Bears
Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers
Wigan St Patricks v Ince Rose Bridge
Distington v Orrell St James
Heworth v Oulton Raiders
Jarrow Vikings v Myton Warriors
Men’s second round draw:
Jarrow Vikings/Myton Warriors v Leigh Miners Rangers
Skirlaugh/Wests Warriors v London Chargers/North Herts Crusaders
Hull Dockers/Rhonda Outlaws v Midlands Hurricanes
British Army/Ashton Bears v Dewsbury Rams
Fryston Warriors/Thornhill Trojans v Stanningley/Milford
Workington Town v Wigan St Patricks/Ince Rose Bridge
Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars
Distington/Orrell St James v Hammersmith Hills Hoists/ Dublin City Exiles
Cornwall v Rochdale Mayfield
Hunslet v Heworth/Oulton Raiders
Siddal v West Hull
Brentwood Eels/Bedford Tigers v Wath Brow Hornets
North Wales Crusaders v Royal Navy/Barrow Island
Doncaster Toll Bar/RAF v York Acorn
Lock Lane v West Bowling/Waterhead
Featherstone Lions/Great Britain Police v Westgate Common/Crosfields
Hunslet ARLFC v Pilkington Recs
Doncaster v Oldham
Edinburgh Eagles/Saddleworth Rangers v Thatto Heath Crusaders
Women’s group stage draw:
Group 1
Featherstone Giants
Salford Red Devils
Cardiff Demons
Wigan Warriors
Group 2
Huddersfield Giants
Bradford Bulls
Oulton Raidettes
Leeds Rhinos
Group 3
Warrington Wolves
Castleford Tigers
London Broncos
St Helens
Group 4
Barrow Raiders
Leigh Leopards
Hull KR
York Valkyrie
