So according to Mick the result of this weekends challenge cup game means we now have an away fixture at barrow to play on the Tuesday after we play fax in the cup. With a championship game at the following weekend.

Halifax similarly have to play mid week in their 1895 cup match.

If the winner of our challenge cup game wins their 1895 match they have another mid week 1895 cup game to play in the week after the challenge cup semi final - unless they win it in which case their 1895 cup opponent gets a bye into the final.

I’m not going to presume we’ll go any further than the challenge cup quarter final but that barrow game alone is a real issue for me. For part time players especially.

The fact a team could get a bye to the final added to the omission of Toulouse and Toronto really show the limited value of the 1895 cup. It’s clear to me RFL have only done it in the hope that clubs like Widnes and Leigh will help fill the ground on final day.

The scheduling of the 1895 Cup - on the same weekends as the Challenge Cup - clearly shows that the RFL assumed that the Championship clubs would out of the Challenge Cup by this point

We mucked up that theory by beating Leeds - and are now, in effect, being punished for success.

The important game of that week is actually the Batley game on June 9th - our third game that week. That's the one we need to win to maintain our Top 5 challenge.

The only way out is to 'throw' the Barrow game - metaphorically speaking - by playing the fringe squad.

Typical RFL to not think this through properly. The 1895 Cup doesn't even have any prize money!!!

"Typical RFL to not think this through properly. The 1895 Cup doesn't even have any prize money!!!"

Is this correct ? What's the point then ? The gate money can't be much after expenses. Is it merely "The Wembley Experience" fir lower teams?

Correct no prize money just an RFL ploy to try & sell more Wembley Tickets

Very real chance of SF berth and a nice cash injection.

Much rather play the reserves vs Barrow if they get through excellent then play them again for match experience.

1895 isn't something we should concern ourselves I don't think. League much more important especially if we have to play midweek

It’s merely to cover over the cracks by trying make Wembley look a bit less empty on cup final day.

Think we should bail on the 1895 cup.... It's s truly e concept.

I don't have a problem with their being a lower league cup competition. They do it in Soccer and I can imagine its a wonderful experience to get to Wembley and enjoy a cup-final when you support a "smaller" side.

I'm not convinced that the top half of the championship gain much from participating though, and for next year I'd take the lead of those teams that turned it down (I'm surprised the RFL allowed anyone to choose what comps they play in to be honest).

Didnt Toulouse/Toronto decline to enter the Comp something to do with their RFL Membership cant remember the exact wording

I thought Widnes opted out as well.

I'm just confused as to why they didn't begin the competition earlier such that any unforseen circumstances such as Bradford humiliating Leeds can be accounted for in the fixture scheduling in more convenient, or at the very least, provide more time for clubs to plan their playing resources accordingly.