Wigan Warriors will launch their defence of the Betfred Challenge Cup next month with a tough trip to Leeds Rhinos, the team who have come the closest to their record of 20 triumphs in Rugby League’s oldest competition.
The Warriors lifted the Challenge Cup for the 20th time with their breathless victory over Huddersfield Giants in last year’s Final at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, while the last of Leeds’ 14 wins came at Wembley in 2020.
Huddersfield were also handed a tricky away tie in the Sixth Round draw – they will have to travel to Salford Red Devils, the team Leeds beat in the 2020 Final, and currently fifth in the Betfred Super League table.
At least one team from outside the Super League is guaranteed to reach the Quarter Finals for the first time since 2019 as two of the four Betfred Championship teams to have reached the last 16, York Knights and London Broncos, have been drawn against each other.
Halifax Panthers, who reached the Semi Finals as a Championship club in 2019, will have to cause a huge upset to make the last eight this year as they have been drawn at home to St Helens, the reigning Super League champions.
Batley Bulldogs, the fourth Championship team still in the Cup – and the first Challenge Cup winners on April 24, 1897 – also have a tough tie away to high-flying Hull KR.
That leaves three more all-Super League ties: Castleford Tigers versus Hull FC; Catalans Dragons versus Warrington Wolves; and Wakefield Trinity against the Leigh Leopards.
The ties will be played on the weekend of May 20-21, with two to be shown by BBC Sport, and another two by Viaplay.
The Final returns to Wembley on Saturday August 12 – and will be preceded for the first time by the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final.
The Sixth Round draw was conducted by Jodie Cunningham, the new captain of England Women who lifted the Women’s Challenge Cup for St Helens last season, and was shown live on the BBC News Channel.
Betfred Challenge Cup Sixth Round Draw
Catalans Dragons v Warrington Wolves
Castleford Tigers v Hull FC
York Knights v London Broncos
Halifax Panthers v St Helens
Hull KR v Batley Bulldogs
Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards
Leeds Rhinos v Wigan Warriors
Salford Red Devils v Huddersfield Giants
Ties to be played on weekend of May 19-21
Quarter Finals – weekend of June 16-18
Semi Finals – July 22 & 23
Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2023 – Wembley Stadium, Saturday August 12
