Deal with Coral for Challenge Cup hailed by Rimmer

RUGBY FOOTBALL League chief executive Ralph Rimmer has described Coral’s sponsorship of the men’s and women’s Challenge Cups as a “really significant day”.

In a historic two-year agreement – worth seven figures – the bookmakers will promote both competitions in 2019.

The two competitions will come together when the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup Final shares the stage with the men’s semi-finals in a triple-header at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday, July 27.

Furthermore, the holders of the men’s Cup, Catalans Dragons, will thankfully now defend their title after their stand-off with the RFL ended.

At one point it seemed Steve McNamara’s side would not feature in 2019 after refusing to pay the governing body a £500,000 bond to enter the competition.

The RFL asked for the unprecedented deposit in light of a poor attendance in last year’s final when just over 50,000 people watched Dragons become the first French side to prosper.

However, Catalans chairman Bernard Guasch confirmed they had reached a “compromise.”

On the new deal with Coral – who replace Ladbrokes – Rimmer said: “This is a really significant day both for the Challenge Cup, and for women’s rugby league.

“The men’s Challenge Cup is one of the iconic competitions and trophies of British sport, with more than 120 years of history, and the famous Wembley final televised live to the nation and world by the BBC.

“The Women’s Challenge Cup may not have that history, but Coral’s enthusiasm for it to be part of a joint sponsorship deal confirms our determination that it is set for a really exciting future.”