Round Three of the Challenge Cup takes place this weekend with Super League clubs finally entering the comp, making for some very intriguing storylines.
As was the format in 2025, Super League sides enter the competition in the third round seeded away from home with two of the 16 ties available to watch at home.
With Super League now a 14-team competition that includes Toulouse Olympique, who don’t compete in the Challenge Cup, and the Championship now being an expanded 20-team division, it’s made for somewhat of a different composition.
Of the remaining 32 teams in the Challenge Cup, 13 hail from Super League, 18 come from the Championship, and just one community club remains. That’s in contrast to 2025 when four community clubs remained as three took on Super League clubs.
One of the stories of this year’s comp is the sole community club’s tie with that being one of six things to watch out for this weekend when round three of the Challenge Cup gets underway.
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What to look out for in round three of the Challenge Cup
Spirit of the Cup
Community club Lock Lane perhaps had a lucky draw as they secured a bye to the third round following Featherstone Rovers’ administration, however, they won’t care how they got there as they now face Hull KR.
The club have opted to take the game to Craven Park, with the players set for a once in a lifetime opportunity and the club set for a bumper payday that sets them up for years to come. The cherry on top would of course be a cup upset against the holders, a result that would be among the biggest in the competition’s 125 year history.
Potential upset
In respect to a potential upset, you probably have to look to Lock Lane’s professional neighbours Castleford Tigers. The Tigers were the only Super League club not to progress from round three last year as they lost to Bradford Bulls and this year they’ve landed a tough tie against Doncaster.
The Dons lost to Midlands this past weekend in a tight affair but they have a very strong squad and a very impressive pack that could get on top of Castleford. An upset remains unlikely but if there’s to be one this weekend then perhaps this is the game to keep an eye on.
Phoenix club rising
Another brilliant tie from the third round sees relegated Salford host Hull FC with Salford in the process of their rebuild after liquidating in the off-season. Hull FC handed them one of their heaviest defeats last season but the players all united post-match in an embrace led by Black and Whites captain John Asiata, highlighting the spirit of the sport. It’s fitting that this new Salford’s first game against a Super League side at home comes Hull FC with that game slated for Friday night.
Star returns home
One of the two broadcast games this weekend doesn’t just feature two historic clubs, it also sees a rising star return to his former club. Jarrod O’Connor, who recently signed a new deal with the Rhinos after NRL interest, will return to Widnes on Saturday with that game aired on the Sportsman YouTube channel.
Tie of the round
The undisputed tie of the round sees Championship big spenders London host Super League new boys Bradford Bulls. As referenced above, the Bulls were the only side to beat a Super League team at this stage last year but they’ll fear becoming a Super League casualty this season.
London have built a very strong side and with competitive games already banked, could they spring a surprise on a Bradford side incorporating 16 new signings into their squad? That game is available to watch on the BBC on Sunday with details of all fixtures below.
All-Champ ties
Despite Super League sides being the favourites in their 13 match-ups, we’re guaranteed at least three Championship clubs in the fourth round. That’s because there are three all-Championship ties with each club knowing a win would almost guarantee a lucrative Super League clash.
Kyle Eastmond’s Halifax host Scott Taylor’s Goole, Keighley take on growing force Midlands Hurricanes, whilst Oldham will have to shelve potential off-field troubles to try and get past Dewsbury.
Round three Challenge Cup fixtures
Friday 6th February:
Hunslet vs Huddersfield Giants – South Leeds Stadium – KO: 7:00pm
Sheffield Eagles vs Warrington Wolves – Halliwell Jones Stadium – KO: 7:30pm
Workington Town vs St Helens – Derwent Park – KO: 7:30pm
Lock Lane vs Hull KR – Craven Park – KO: 8:00pm
Salford RLFC vs Hull FC – Salford Community Stadium – KO: 8:00pm
Saturday 7th February:
Doncaster RLFC vs Castleford Tigers – Eco-Power Stadium – KO: 2:00pm
Widnes Vikings vs Leeds Rhinos – DCBL Stadium – KO: 3:00pm – Live on the Sportsman YouTube channel
Barrow Raiders vs York Knights – Northern Competitions Stadium – KO: 6:00pm
North Wales Crusaders vs Leigh Leopards – Stadiwm Eirias – KO: 7:00pm
Sunday 8th February:
Batley Bulldogs vs Catalans Dragons – Fox’s Biscuits Stadium – KO: 2:00pm
London Broncos vs Bradford Bulls – Cherry Red Records Stadium – KO: 3:00pm – Live on BBC Sport
Halifax Panthers vs Goole Vikings – The Shay – KO: 3:00pm
Keighley Cougars vs Midlands Hurricanes – Cougar Park – KO: 3:00pm
Oldham RLFC vs Dewsbury Rams – Bower Fold – KO: 3:00pm
Rochdale Hornets vs Wigan Warriors – Crown Oil Arena – KO: 3:00pm
Swinton Lions vs Wakefield Trinity – Heywood Road – KO: 3:00pm
