Halifax rewarded for cup victory with home tie against Catalans

Halifax Panthers’ reward for their victory over York Acorn is a home tie against Catalans Dragons in the sixth round of the Betfred Challenge Cup.

Panthers were handed a home tie against Super League opposition when the draw was made on Monday evening at the BBC’s MediaCity HQ, in Salford.

Former Bulldogs coach Craig Lingard will return to Batley when he takes his

Castleford Tigers side to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium.

Cup holders Leigh Leopards, one of 12 Super League clubs to join four from the Championship in the hat, will begin their defence against Featherstone Rovers.

Head coach Adrian Lam, who guided Leigh to their first major trophy in 52 years, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve got a home draw, I don’t think in all my years here that I’ve had a Challenge Cup tie at Leigh Sports Village so I’m looking forward to it.

"We’ve had some big clashes against Featherstone Rovers when we were in the Championship, and I know they’ll also be relishing coming to us so I think it will be a great game.”

Former Super League star Iestyn Harris, who led Leeds Rhinos to Challenge Cup glory against London Broncos at

Wembley Stadium 25 years ago, was in the Sportsday studio to conduct the draw – and his former club will face St Helens who they meet this Friday in the Betfred Super League.

Record holders Wigan Warriors will host Sheffield Eagles, who famously caused an upset in their one and only Challenge Cup final appearance in 1998 with Head Coach Mark Aston the Lance Todd

Trophy winner that day.

Last year’s runners up Hull KR have a tough home tie against a Salford Red Devils team who have won their last three Super League fixtures.

Sixth round draw (ties to take place over the weekend of March 23 and 24): Hull KR v Salford Red Devils; Wigan Warriors v Sheffield Eagles; Batley Bulldogs v Castleford Tigers; Leigh Leopards v Featherstone Rovers; Leeds

Rhinos v St Helens; Warrington Wolves v London Broncos; Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC; Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons.

The men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup final (3pm) is part of a Finals Day tripleheader at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 8, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup (11.45am) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup (5.45pm).