Settle in for another completely free-to-watch Challenge Cup humdinger with The Sportsman this afternoon, as we bring you Newcastle Thunder’s trip to York City Knights. This fourth round clash in rugby league’s most prestigious tournament kicks off live and exclusively at 3pm right here on The Sportsman, as part of an exciting slate of matches we’ll be bringing you throughout the season.
The stakes are raised in the fourth round, as the Betfred Championship sides join the fray alongside the third-round winners. Only one of these new arrivals can go through today though, with an all-Championship clash on the menu in this one.
Despite these two sides operating in the same division, Newcastle Thunder coach Eamon O’Carroll acknowledges his side have a lot to learn from today’s opponents. Speaking to The Sportsman, the former Ireland international said, “York are probably a couple of years ahead of where we are. They have done a fantastic job and we are looking at that. Their facilities are brilliant and that’s what we want. When I watch games on The Sportsman or Premier Sports I want it to look good.”
It is clear the importance of this game is not lost on O’Carroll, as he spoke glowingly about the tournament. “I don’t know why but whenever you train leading up to a Challenge Cup game it just has a different feel about it. It’s that anticipation and knowing it is sudden death.” Anticipation is certainly the right word as we look forward to what should be a superb afternoon of rugby league.
You can watch the full match, which kicks off at 3pm live and free right here on The Sportsman.
TEAM NEWS:
York City Knights: 1. Marsh, 26. Ward, 3. Glover, 4. Ogden, 23. Towse, 19. Harris, 13. Thompson, 7. Ellis, 21. Warren, 17. Kirmond, 8. Matongo, 9. Jubb, 24. Michael
Interchanges: 20. Brining, 10. Teanby, 15. Dixon, 16. Stock
Newcastle Thunder: 1. Craig Mullen, 22. Alex Donaghy, 28. Alex Sutton, 23. Isaac Nokes, 5. Gideon Boafo, 7. Josh Woods, 19. Pat Moran, 9. Josh Eaves, 15. Ted Chapelhow, 26. Matty Nicholson, 20. Brad Gallagher, 13. Sam Hallas
Interchanges: 21. Lewis Peachey, 16. Jay Chapelhow, 8. Nathan Wilde. 14. Connor Bailey.
