With the Challenge Cup Final set to return to Wembley for the 2023 campaign the first round draw of rugby league’s prestigious competition will be made at Wembley tonight and will be live from 6pm on BBC iPlayer.
The second round draw will immediately follow the first round draw and that could provide some extra incentive for those teams featuring in round one with League One sides set to take part from the second round.
Three teams will debut in this season’s Challenge Cup as they’ll hear their name called out for the very first time in the competition’s 127 year history. Here’s a list of those debutant teams and their respective number to keep an eye out for in the draw.
Brentwood Eels: Number Four
The team established in 2004 are one of the few Essex sides to have made the Challenge Cup first round which will only serve to inspire more rugby league in that area. The Eels can also boast that they’ve had three players turn professional and have a host of youth teams as well highlighting that they’re clearly developing the sport in the area.
🏆 2023 @Betfred #ChallengeCup First Round teams:
👉 First ever #ChallengeCup appearance
👉 Finished 3rd in the 2022 Southern Conference League🎟️ https://t.co/Na9CnGaQg2 pic.twitter.com/wTFTOPiQTR
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 4, 2023
Doncaster Toll Bar: Number Eight
The side that won the 2022 Yorkshire Men’s Cup enter the Challenge Cup with the hope to replicate that success. A side proud of their youth set-up with the intention of running 12 sides in the 2023 campaign, they’ve managed to develop talent that is currently playing Super League level with both George Hill and Hugo Nikhata featuring for Castleford Tigers in their New Years Eve friendly with Featherstone Rovers.
🏆 2023 @Betfred #ChallengeCup First Round teams:
👉 Debut appearance in the #ChallengeCup
👉 Won the 2022 Yorkshire Men's Cup Final🎟️ https://t.co/Na9CnGaQg2 pic.twitter.com/CsggxeMIlx
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 5, 2023
Westgate Common: Number 33
The amateur side from Wakefield see their name in the hat for the first time following a league winning season in 2022. Donning the colours that are similar to their town’s Super League counterpart, Wakefield Trinity, they’re a team on the up. ‘Weggy’ won the 2021 Yorkshire Men’s League Division One before following it up with the Premier Division title in 2022, if they can add a Challenge Cup win to their resume it would be an incredible achievement.
🏆 2023 @Betfred #ChallengeCup First Round teams:
🔵 Westgate Common
👉 First appearance in the #ChallengeCup
👉 2022 Yorkshire Men's League Premier Division Champions🎟️ https://t.co/Na9CnGaQg2 pic.twitter.com/YhM1KjDWTK
— Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) January 12, 2023
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