The line-up for the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup semi-finals has just been confirmed ...
St Helens v Catalans Dragons
Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos
Both the games will be played at the Macron Stadium, home of Championship football club Bolton Wanderers on August 5.
Catalans Dragons were the first team to secure their place in the last four with a win over Huddersfield Giants on Thursday. Then on Friday, Leeds Rhinos had too much firepower for Championship side Leigh Centurions who had to play most of the game with 12 men following a red card for their full-back Peter Matautia.
Yesterday, Warrington Wolves were highly impressive as they nilled Wigan Warriors 23-0 at the Halliwell Jones Stadium and on Sunday holders Hull FC were knocked out by St Helens, 25-22.
It's the first time in Challenge Cup history the semi-finals will be played at one venue on the same day with every minute of the fast-paced action broadcast live on the BBC. Macron Stadium, which has a capacity of just under 30,000 is no stranger to Rugby League with three World Club Challenge games and three international Test matches being played there between 1998-2007.
Rugby Football League interim Chief Executive, Ralph Rimmer, said: “The Ladbrokes Challenge Cup is one of the most prestigious competitions in sport and the introduction of a semi-finals double header is a fantastic opportunity to showcase two of the biggest games of the year at one event. Fans rarely get the chance to watch two games on one day that have so much riding on them and I am sure that everyone attending will have a fantastic time.
“The Dacia Magic Weekend, Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final and the Betfred Super League Grand Final are all huge events in the sporting calendar and we know that they attract fans who do not regularly attend Rugby League games. We believe that this unique event will offer another opportunity for the sport to showcase itself to a wider audience of event goers and casual sports fans. We believe that by creating the doubleheader for the semi-finals that we will elevate the games and create a memorable experience for all those involved.
“Rugby League prides itself on being innovative and trying new concepts meaning we are one of the very few sports who can put together an event with four semi-finalists at one venue, creating what we hope will be a fantastic occasion. Our thanks as ever go to our broadcast partner for the semi-finals, BBC Sport, who have worked to give us five hours of Rugby League coverage on their channels in one afternoon.”
Philip Bernie, Head of TV Sport, BBC said: “BBC Sport and the Rugby Football League have been working for some time on this innovative idea and we are delighted the semi-finals of the most famous cup competition in Rugby League will be showcased in this way. It will be a five hour feast of Rugby League on Sunday August 5th , with that huge prize at stake - a Wembley final.”
The first semi-final will kick-off at 12.30pm with the second game kicking off at 2.45pm.
