Leeds Rhinos versus St Helens, the stand-out tie of Round 6 of the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup, will be shown live on BBC iPlayer, Red Button and the BBC Sport website and app on Friday 22 March (KO 8pm) but not on live terrestrial TV the RFL has confirmed.
The draw was made yesterday evening (Monday 11 March) by the Leeds legend Iestyn Harris, who led the Rhinos to Challenge Cup glory against London Broncos at Wembley Stadium 25 years ago. And Harris drew two sides with Challenge Cup rivalry almost as old as the competition itself, his former club and Saints having first met in Rugby League’s prestigious knock-out competition in 1911.
Leeds and St Helens last met in the cup in 2021 behind closed doors at the Totally Wicked Stadium due to Covid restrictions, where a brace of tries apiece from wingers Tommy Makinson and Regan Grace set Saints on course for Wembley glory. In all the sides have faced each other 21 times in the Challenge Cup, Leeds winning 11 of those ties against St Helens’ 10.
Challenge Cup draw in full
The draw for Round 6 of the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup was made earlier this evening at the BBC’s MediaCity HQ in Salford and 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 (15 March).
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.
Batley Bulldogs, the first winners of the cup in 1897, will welcome back their former coach Craig Lingard to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium in his new position with Castleford Tigers.
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.
Round 6 fixtures
Hull KR v Salford Red Devils – Friday 22 March, 8pm
Leeds Rhinos v St Helens – Friday 22 March, 8pm (BBC Sport)
Wigan Warriors v Sheffield Eagles – Friday 22 March, 8pm
Batley Bulldogs v Castleford Tigers – Saturday 23 March, 3pm
Huddersfield Giants v Hull FC – Saturday 23 March,2pm
Leigh Leopards v Featherstone Rovers – Saturday 23 March, 2pm
Warrington Wolves v London Broncos – Saturday 23 March, 5.30pm
Halifax Panthers v Catalans Dragons – Sunday 24 March, 3pm
Disappointing news but exciting night ahead
It is really disappointing to see a massive fixture like Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens only play on BBC iPlayer instead of a big prime time TV slot like in the past with Challenge Cup fixtures.
Hopefully we see the Sportsman take on some of the Saturday night fixtures. It of course doesn’t help that the games have to allow enough recovery time for the Easter fixtures.
Despite this, this Friday night game should be extra special. A Challenge Cup game under the lights.
Warrington Wolves
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