London Broncos OR Goole Vikings v Wakefield Trinity GB Police, York Acorn, London Chargers OR Oulton Raiders v Hull FC Bradford Bulls OR Doncaster v Castleford Tigers Lock Lane, Doncaster Toll Bar OR Hunslet RLFC v Huddersfield Giants [b:3fof0iur]Wests Warriors, British Army OR RAF v Leeds Rhinos[/b:3fof0iur] Halifax Panthers, Thatto Heath OR Orrell St James v Catalans Dragons Stanley Rangers, Hunslet ARLFC, West Hull OR Edinburgh Eagles v St Helens Mirfield, Royal Navy OR Workington Town v Leigh Leopards Midlands Hurricanes OR Siddal v Salford Red Devils Whitehaven OR Swinton Lions v Warrington Wolves Keighley Cougars OR York v Hull KR Sheffield Eagles, West Bowling OR Cutsyke Raiders v Wigan Warriors Oldham, Rochdale Mayfield OR Telford Raiders v Barrow Raiders, Crosfields OR Maryport Newcastle Thunder OR Batley Bulldogs v Dewsbury Moor, Haresfinch OR Dewsbury Rams Cornwall OR North Wales Crusaders v Rochdale Hornets OR Widnes Vikings Waterhead Warriors, Leigh Miners OR Featherstone Rovers v Blackbrook, Longhorns OR Ince Rose Bridge Bulls Cas should be tasty.

Presumably, whoever we likely end up with will end up being at home because of their lack of stadiums? Why couldn't the round three draw be undertaken after completion of round two? I like the idea of an away fixture against a lower league side but I was expecting that to be against a Championship, League 1 or League 2 side rather than literally anyone.

On the plus side we'll play a team we never have before, and it gives a chance to play a bunch of the younger players. Not so many we lose hopefully.....

[quote="rugbyleague88":2bx5z8o0]Presumably, whoever we likely end up with will end up being at home because of their lack of stadiums?.[/quote:2bx5z8o0] My understanding is that all fixtures will be an 'away' fixture for Superleague clubs, so as to give the other club an opportunity to have a big club travel to them and gain all the financial rewards it would bring.

I like it.. something new for a change.

So we have an extra game to play, and yet we now also have - (Player Welfare & Education Forum (PWEF) to help ensure player welfare), which i find bemusing. Match limits :- The RFL has rules that limit the number of matches a player can play in a year. The limit depends on the player's age and position. For example, forwards over 22 can play up to 2,000 minutes, while backs over 22 can play up to 2,400 minutes. Players 18 and under have even lower limits.

[quote="Cokey":batbkzwt]So we have an extra game to play, and yet we now also have - (Player Welfare & Education Forum (PWEF) to help ensure player welfare), which i find bemusing. Match limits :- The RFL has rules that limit the number of matches a player can play in a year. The limit depends on the player's age and position. For example, forwards over 22 can play up to 2,000 minutes, while backs over 22 can play up to 2,400 minutes. Players 18 and under have even lower limits.[/quote:batbkzwt] I would envisage most Super League teams wouldn't play many first teamers in this stage of the Challenge cup..

[quote="REVENUE":1k89st8j]I would envisage most Super League teams wouldn't play many first teamers in this stage of the Challenge cup..[/quote:1k89st8j] In that case, many fans will not travel afar, which makes the whole concept futile.

This shake up has been something that should have happened for a great number of years. And now it's here, people still find something to moan about!

[quote="DMF":3pnn26bs]This shake up has been something that should have happened for a great number of years. And now it's here, people still find something to moan about![/quote:3pnn26bs] Well those of you who are for it, I trust in that you will be attending the game?

A laudable idea but RL is not soccer. There is zero chance of an upset in any of the games (assuming the Bulls beat Donny, them beating Cas wouldn't be an upset), even with SL teams playing weakened teams. Other than where the game is on their doorstep (and even then, it's debatable) fans won't travel in anything like the numbers needed to give the home teams a decent money spinner. No idea what the answer is but this isn't it, imo.

[quote="YosemiteSam":l4okt3o9]A laudable idea but RL is not soccer. There is zero chance of an upset in any of the games (assuming the Bulls beat Donny, them beating Cas wouldn't be an upset), even with SL teams playing weakened teams. Other than where the game is on their doorstep (and even then, it's debatable) fans won't travel in anything like the numbers needed to give the home teams a decent money spinner. No idea what the answer is but this isn't it, imo.[/quote:l4okt3o9]

possibility of a fantastic gesture from the club here. Offer to play at HQ and let the opposition keep the gate (after expenses)

Personally happy with the new format. I remember when we played Blackpool years ago and it was a great chance to take on lower league clubs. Can't see us fielding a strong team so not much risk. I'd go with: J Connor R Lumb J Smith M Simpson (if fit) N McCormack J Sinfield G Brown T Nicholson-Watton J Diskin T Holroyd M Gannon B Littlewood (if fit) P Cassell Bench C Jenkins S Lisone T Warren J Stead Good opportunity for some of the fringe / bench players and players coming back from injury to get some minutes.

I know what the format is trying to achieve, but the real (only?) beneficiaries are the SL club in getting minutes for squad players. Getting a 3 figure pasting isn't going to help a community club and will be a terrible spectacle.

I hope we play it away from Headingley, if it is wests , maybe they could play at Wimbledon as it’s geared up for RL. On team strength, I think we will go much stronger than some of the lineups on here, we have not won a single CC match since 2020 and in effect it’s another warm up for Wakey. I reckon it will be as close to full strength bar niggles.

I fear if we went with the line up above that we would be at risk of losing. Men v boys etc. but could be completely wrong. I hope Brad Arthur stops letting Leeds players go on overseas holidays every weekend we have off because of an early challenge cup exit. It feels over previous seasons like the players have been happy to have an early exit so that they can have more holidays.

Have heard that Leeds have made plans to get the tie played at Headingley with the club hoping the Army beat Wests. Will make a farce of the new structure if we don’t play the away tie in the first year it’s in force.

[quote="Sir Gregory ParsloeP":ozsdux03]we have not won a single CC match since 2000 [/quote:ozsdux03] Crikey, have I lived In an alternate universe for 25 years?

[quote="Sir Gregory ParsloeP":ruubmc23]Have heard that Leeds have made plans to get the tie played at Headingley with the club hoping the Army beat Wests. Will make a farce of the new structure if we don’t play the away tie in the first year it’s in force.[/quote:ruubmc23] Hopefully not. I fancy the away day but less sure about a home game.

[quote="christopher":2h1hc3xi]Crikey, have I lived In an alternate universe for 25 years? [/quote:2h1hc3xi] Corrected

[quote="Sir Gregory ParsloeP":3fhtyotr]Corrected[/quote:3fhtyotr] Fwiw i agree with you, i think we’ll go with a squad to get the job done

On the home/away thing, I think there's a bit of a difference between Leeds playing a semi-pro club compared to our opposition in the first round. Leeds playing at Batley say, or one of the Cumbrian clubs, would help raise the profile locally a bit and hopefully earn some money. On the other hand there's little to no benefit to the game as a whole in playing at Aldershot barracks or at an RU club ground. Also, if you were one of their players, which would you rather do - play at your home ground, or take maybe the only chance you'll ever have to play somewhere like Headingley? I'd also suggest that Leeds may be tempted to put more kids into the team at home than away as well. Regardless we shouldn't be risking more than a handful of first choice players in this round of the Cup. A scrappy win without injuries is far better than a huge score with injuries.

The away team should not be allowed to play at home. Do Salford agree to play at wigan instead of at home to get more money? The idea of the draw is to give one side a random advantage. The away team should not be allowed to play at home even if for the best on intentions. Maybe play at Hunslet? The Army won't have a fan base but if West's want to play in London go for it.

Salford v Wigan is a straw man extraordinaire. We aren't playing Salford. Or Batley. Or even Oulton Raiders. There is zero chance of an upset, this is not a David vs Goliath its full time pros vs amateurs. If our opponents want to play at home fair enough, nobody's going to force anyone to give up home "advantage." But this is not some sort of sacred cow - moving games has been done many times in the past.