BBC Radio 5Live will host the draw for the quarter-finals of the Men’s Betfred Challenge Cup tonight (Monday 25 March), with darts aces and Rugby League fans Joe Cullen and Michael Smith joining ‘The Monday Night Club’ between 8.45pm-9.
St Helens supporter Smith, world champion in 2023, and Wigan Warriors fan Cullen, a former Masters champion and Premier League finalist, will join presenter Alistair Bruce-Ball to draw the four ties – as 2024’s Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day at Wembley Stadium, on Saturday June 8, comes into a sharper focus.
Every team in the hat has won Rugby League’s prestigious knock-out trophy at least once – Hull KR and Catalans Dragons enjoying solitary successes in 1980 and 2018 respectively, and Wigan Warriors out in front with 20 wins from an incredible 33 final appearances.
The Warriors earned their quarter-finals place with a 44-18 Round 6 home win over Sheffield Eagles and are favourites to win the competition for a 21st time.
Cup holders Leigh Leopards renewed acquaintances with former Championship foes Featherstone Rovers in Round 6, and survived a scare or two to win 26-14 and keep alive their hopes of retaining the trophy.
Like Leigh, Castleford Tigers also had to dig deep against Championship opposition to earn their place in the last eight. Batley Bulldogs held the Super League side 14-all at half time, but second half tries from Paul McShane, Jacob Miller and Innes Senior gave former Bulldogs coach Craig Lingard his first competitive victory at the Tigers’ helm, 28-14.
Elsewhere in Round 6, there were big wins for Catalans Dragons (40-4 v Halifax Panthers), Huddersfield Giants (50-6 v Hull FC), Hull KR (40-0 v Salford Red Devils) and Warrington Wolves (42-0 v London Broncos).
And St Helens produced another dominant second half display at AMT Headingley Stadium on Friday night to defeat Leeds Rhinos for the second week in succession, 20-6.
Five of the eight quarter-finalists currently occupy the top five places in the Betfred Super League.
Quarter-finals draw ball numbers:
1. Castleford Tigers
2. Catalans Dragons
3. Huddersfield Giants
4. Hull KR
5. Leigh Leopards
6. St Helens
7. Warrington Wolves
8. Wigan Warriors
BBC Radio 5Live is available via DAB and AM radio (909 or 693), the BBC Sounds app and the following TV channels.
- Freeview: 705
- Sky: 0105
- Virgin Media: 905
Ties will be played on the weekend of 13/14 April and broadcast details will be announced in due course.
The Men's 2024 Betfred Challenge Cup Final (KO 3pm) is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the finals of the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup (KO 11.45am) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am. Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available.
