Challenge Cup draw throws up Yorkshire rivalries

FEATHERSTONE ROVERS have an enticing Coral Challenge Cup sixth round tie at derby rivals Wakefield Trinity to look forward to, while fellow Championship club York City Knights will host Super League joint-leaders Castleford Tigers.

They are two of the most intriguing games from last night’s draw which was swapped from its original venue in New York to RFL headquarters in Salford due to the coronavirus.

Sheffield Eagles welcome 2017 winners Hull FC and in a fourth all-Yorkshire tie, Hull KR – who needed a last-minute try to see off Championship Leigh Centurions on Sunday – head to Leeds Rhinos.

League 1 Newcastle Thunder, who stunned Dewsbury Rams to reach the last 16, have a mouthwatering home tie with Toronto Wolfpack who knocked out Huddersfield Giants last week.

The other remaining lower league side, Championship Widnes Vikings, host Catalans Dragons while last year’s beaten finalists St Helens head to Salford Red Devils in a repeat of the 2019 Grand Final.

Lastly, holders Warrington Wolves begin the defence of their trophy with a trip to Wigan Warrriors, who currently sit joint-top of Super League.

The sixth round is due to take place over the weekend of April 4/5 and, theoretically, that could still happen.

Super League and the RFL yesterday decided to suspend rugby league at all levels until April 3 due to the pandemic.

That, of course, could be extended depending on what happens in the bext three weeks.

Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves, York City Knights v Castleford Tigers, Widnes Vikings v Catalans Dragons, Wakefield Trinity v Featherstone Rovers, Newcastle Thunder v Toronto Wolfpack, Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR, Salford Red Devils v St Helens, Sheffield Eagles v Hull FC.