Just days before the competition begins for 2025, one club have withdrawn from Round One of the Challenge Cup.
The competition starts earlier in 2025 due to a new format with three rounds set to be played before the Super League season kicks off – taking place on the weekends 11th and 12th of January, 25th and 26th of January and the 8th and 9th of February.
Another change to the format is that Round Three will see Super League clubs enter – a major carrot for those amateur and lower league clubs who enter in Round One and Round Two respectively.
However, it’s now been confirmed that Cumbrian side Wath Brow Hornets will not have a chance to progress in the competition with the amateur club withdrawing from the Challenge Cup days prior to their first round fixture.
Wath Brow had been drawn away against West Bowling with the winner set to face Championship side Sheffield Eagles in Round Two but the Cumbrian club have withdrawn from the competition.
Club withdraw from Challenge Cup with solutions assessed
Credit: Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com
That was first reported by League Express with the National Conference League outfit reportedly concerned about player welfare with the cup tie coming during the period in which amateur clubs are supposed to be in non-contact training.
In relation to the club’s withdrawal and what happens next, Serious About Rugby League understand that the RFL are discussing their next steps and a new club could even be called up in Wath Brow’s place.
The other option would be for West Bowling to receive a bye to Round Two where they will face Sheffield Eagles in Craig Lingard’s first competitive game in charge.
It is expected that the RFL will make a decision within the next 24 hours.
Should no replacement be found and West Bowling proceed to Round Two of the Challenge Cup as a result of a walkover then it would mean that 16 ties take place this weekend.
Only one of those is being broadcast to watch with the game between Waterhead Warriors and Leigh Miners Rangers shown on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app/online. That fixture will kick off at 12:30 pm on Saturday 11th January.
