From Edinburgh to Cornwall – BBC Sport Challenge Cup coverage takes the long road

BBC Sport will travel to the extremities of the Betfred Challenge Cup for their unique live coverage of the first two rounds of the competition in 2023.

Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers has already been confirmed as the First Round tie to be shown on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online this Saturday (11 February), with a 1.15pm kick-off.

Two weeks later, and almost 600 miles to the south-west, the Second Round tie selected for coverage is the debut in the competition for Cornwall RLFC, a semi-professional club who are preparing for their second season in Betfred League One. Theyhave been drawn at home to Rochdale Mayfield, who have also been given a bye to the Second Round as one of the elite community teams in the Impact Performance National Conference League.

That game will be played on Saturday 25 February at the Memorial Ground in Penryn, with a 1pm kick-off – with coverage again on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Online.

John Beach, the General Manager of Cornwall RLFC, said: “We are thrilled that our debut in the Challenge Cup will be shown live on BBC Sport.

“We travelled across to Wembley when the draws for the first two rounds were made last month, because it is such a significant step for our club to enter the sport’s most historic competition.

“For our club to receive national broadcast exposure will be a huge lift in terms of profile and awareness as we prepare for our second season – and it will also provide deserved recognition for Rochdale Mayfield who will be making such a long trip down for the match.” 

The Edinburgh-Saddleworth tie is one of 18 in the First Round this weekend – with a second match, the Wigan derby between St Patricks and Ince Rose Bridge, being streamed by TheSportsman.com later on Saturday afternoon (3pm). 

The Second Round sees the 10 Betfred League One teams enter the competition, as well as 10 from the Premier Division of the Impact Performance National Conference League.

The Betfred Championship clubs enter the competition at the Third Round stage, and will need to win three matches to join the Betfred Super League clubs in the last 16 – with the Final returning to Wembley on August 12, and for the first time preceded by the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final. Tickets available here.

Betfred Challenge Cup 

First Round

Saturday

• Fryston Warriors v Thornhill Trojans
• Featherstone Lions v GB Police
• Skirlaugh v Wests Warriors
• Hull Dockers v Rhondda Outlaws
• London Chargers v North Herts Crusaders
• Doncaster Toll Bar v RAF
• Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Dublin City Exiles
• Brentwood Eels v Bedford Tigers
• Stanningley v Milford
• Royal Navy v Barrow Island
• West Bowling v Waterhead
• Westgate Common v Crosfields
• British Army v Ashton Bears
• Edinburgh Eagles v Saddleworth Rangers
• Wigan St Patricks v Ince Rose Bridge
• Distington v Orrell St James

Sunday

• Heworth v Oulton Raiders 
• Jarrow Vikings v Myton Warriors 

Second Round – ties to be played February 24-26

• Jarrow or Myton v Leigh Miners Rangers
• Skirlaugh or Wests v Chargers or North Herts 
• Hull Dockers or Rhondda v Midlands Hurricanes
• Army or Ashton v Dewsbury Rams
• Fryston or Thornhill v Stanningley or Milford
• Workington Town v Wigan St Patricks or Ince Rose Bridge
• Rochdale Hornets v London Skolars
• Distington or Orrell v Hammersmith or Dublin
• Cornwall v Rochdale Mayfield
• Hunslet v Heworth or Oulton
• Siddal v West Hull
• Brentwood or Bedford v Wath Brow
• North Wales Crusaders v Navy or Barrow Island
• Toll Bar or RAF v York Acorn
• Lock Lane v West Bowling or Waterhead
• Featherstone Lions or GB Police v Westgate or Crosfields
• Hunslet ARLFC v Pilkingtons Recs
• Doncaster v Oldham
• Edinburgh or Saddleworth v Thatto Heath Crusaders