24 Mar 2022

Betfred Challenge Cup Round Six Preview

Super League clubs make their Betfred Challenge Cup bow in 2022 this weekend, with a host of mouthwatering ties available live across the weekend.

Kicking off the action on Friday night, Wigan Warriors are at home to Salford Red Devils on Premier Sports, 7.35pm kick off.

Wigan have lost just once in the league all season and have a near full-strength squad to choose from as they start their Cup campaign and go in search of a first Cup title since 2013.

In oppostion, Salford are currently seventh in the table after winning three games from their opening six of the season, most recently seeing off Leeds 26-12 last week in a match which proved to be Richard Agar's last as Head Coach of the Rhinos.

Salford haven't won the Challenge Cup since 1938 but made the final in 2020 - how will they fare this year?

On Saturday, Sheffield Eagles take on Hull FC at Feathertsone's Millennium Stadium, a 2pm kick off on Saturday.

The Eagles, 1998 Challenge Cup winners, are sixth in the Championship as it stands with three wins from five, while their journey to this stage of the Cup saw wins over amateurs Hunslet Club Parkside and League One's North Wales Crusaders. Super League opposition bring the test this time.

FC won back-to-back Cups in 2016 and 2017 and will have their eye on more success in 2022 after a positive start to the season which has seen them win four of six games so far.

Brett Hodgson's side made it all the way to the semi-finals in 2021 before being stopped by eventual winners St Helens.

St Helens boss Kristian Woolf has named his strongest-possible squad for a trip to face Championship side Whitehaven on Saturday as they get their Cup defence underway.

The game, a 2pm kick off and available to watch on The Sportsman, could see Regan Grace make his first appearance of the season after he completed his recovery from a bicep injury.

Whitehaven meanwhile will have their sights set on a huge upset in West Cumbria. They are the competition's top scorers to date having recorded 98 points in wins over Doncaster and York to reach this stage. They have won two of their six games in the league so far and sit tenth.

Hull KR and Leigh Centurions renew their rivalry on Saturday, 2pm kick off, with Leigh hoping for an upset away from home.

Rovers, Cup winners for the only time in 1980, lost 33-32 in a dramatic golden point reverse against Castleford in 2021, while their best recent run was in 2015 when they made the final.

The visitors this weekend have impressed in the league so far this year with just one defeat to their name, while wins over tough opposition in Widnes and Bradford have taken them into Round 6.

Catalans Dragons get their Cup campaign underway against in-form Championship side Featherstone Rovers this Saturday.

The Dragons are in their own rich vein of form however having only lost to St Helens in Round 1 of the Super League season and they will be hoping to recapture the magic which daw them crowned Cup champions back in 2018.

But Rovers will sense a chance of an upset after an unbeaten start to their league campaign which sees them top of the second tier, coupled with impressive away wins at both Halifax and Batley on their way to this stage of the competition.

Leeds Rhinos take on Castleford Tigers in a repeat of the 2014 final at Headingley, a 4.30pm kick off on Saturday which will be shown on the BBC.

Both sides have endured difficult starts to the season - Leeds are tenth and Castleford 11th after just one league win each from their opening six games.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan is set to take charge of Leeds as interim Head Coach for the first time this weekend and has named his strongest-possible side for the clash, with Harry Newman, David Fusitua and Richie Myler all missing out.

Castleford boss Lee Radford could welcome back Niall Evalds to his side after naming the full back in his initial 21-man squad.

The 28-year-old's return will be welcome news for Paul McShane who will take up his place at hooker, with Gareth O'Brien likely to move into the halves from full back.

In Sunday's action, Warrington Wolves are at home to Wakefield Trinity, a 2pm kick off on Premier Sports.

The game is a repeat of last week's Channel 4 Super League game where Wakefield turned on the style to produce a 38-22 away win.

Warrington were Cup winners as recently as 2019 and have four Cup wins to their name since 2009. By contrast, Wakefield are five-time winners but their last success was way back in 1963, while their last final appearance was in 1979.

The final fixture of the weekend on Sunday sees an intriguing battle between Barrow Raiders and Huddersfield Giants, a 4.30pm kick off on the BBC.

Barrow are still unbeaten after a remarkable start to their Championship campaign following promotion from League One in 2021.

The Cumbrians only dropped their first point last week as London turned on the style to claim an 18-all draw. Those results have seen them settle into third place in the table despite playing a game less than many of their rivals, owing to a postponement at Bradford earlier in the year.

Barrow saw off Rochdale Hornets and Workington Town to reach this stage.

Huddersfield have enjoyed a similarly auspicious start to their 2022 season, enjoying four league wins from six games to date. Ian Watson's side are the second-highest scorers in the league and can boast the league's third-best defensive record.

Betfred Challenge Cup Round Six Fixtures

Friday: