Round One of the 1895 Cup gets underway this weekend, with eight ties happening up and down the country.
The eight winning teams will then go on to secure their place in the quarter-finals, which are due to take place over the 16/17 May.
First up, is Doncaster versus Salford on Saturday. Both sides last met in Round 5 of the Betfred Championship, where the Dons put the Reds to the sword with a 78-8 thrashing.
A closer contest is expected this time round, however, with Salford recently boosted by their back-to-back Championship wins in the last fortnight.
Doncaster also enter this cup match in fine form, having won their last six league matches.
London Broncos have their eyes set firmly on silverware in 2026 and their 1895 Cup journey continues with a tie against Keighley Cougars on Sunday.
The Broncos beat Barrow Raiders convincingly in the Preliminary Round to ensure their place in Round One (36-10).
The Cougars are seeking their first ever away win in the capital, but face the toughest of challenges, with Jason Demetriou’s men unbeaten so far across the Championship and 1895 Cup competitions.
Dewsbury and Widnes will meet for a second week running. The Vikings ran out 10-20 winners in their league fixture last weekend and will make another trip to the FLAIR Stadium hoping to replicate a similar performance and carry through their momentum.
Widnes have experienced an 1895 Cup Final before (back in 2019) and know exactly what it takes to get there, but will they be booking their spot in the quarters or will the Rams conjure up a response?
It’s Goole Vikings’ second season as 1895 Cup participants. Scott Taylor’s men will welcome Whitehaven to the Victoria Pleasure Ground and are hoping to go one step further than last year, having fallen short in Round One last time out.
There are two previous league meetings between the two sides, and it’s currently one apiece. But which team will come out on top where knockout rugby league is concerned?
Meanwhile, Oldham are also hoping to do one better than 2025, having reached the semi-final stage of the competition last year.
Their Round One opponents, Hunslet, have hit a good spell recently, so they can ill-afford to take the visitors lightly.
The Roughyeds have won their last five home meetings with Hunslet, however. Can they do something special in 2026?
Elsewhere, Newcastle Thunder are seeking their ever first win against 2023 finalists Batley Bulldogs, having progressed to Round One after their Preliminary Round win over Workington Town (12-28).
Finally, inaugural winners and 2024 finalists Sheffield Eagles will travel to play Rochdale Hornets.
Sheffield have won their last six away meetings with Rochdale, so should take great confidence from such a stat.
The Eagles scored 50 unanswered points against Swinton Lions in the Preliminary Round, but can they be just as ruthless in Round One?
Craig Lingard’s side have endured a tough run of results in the Championship in Rounds 9 and 10, but this is a different competition, and one where form famously goes out the window.
Did you know that there have been six different winners of six different finals since the competition was first integrated in 2019?
And with nearly all the past winners no longer in the competition, Sheffield are the only previous winners remaining in the 2026 1895 Cup – making it highly likely the trophy will be lifted by a new name this year.
Will the Eagles have something to say about that?
1895 Cup Round One ties – all 3PM KO:
Saturday 18 April
Doncaster RLFC v Salford RLFC
Sunday 19 April
London Broncos v Keighley Cougars
Dewsbury Rams v Widnes Vikings
Goole Vikings v Whitehaven RLFC
Oldham RLFC v Hunslet RLFC
Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs
Rochdale Hornets v Sheffield Eagles
Key dates for the 1895 Cup:
First Round - 18/19 April
Quarter Finals – 16/17 May
Semi Finals 13/14 June
Final – 31 August, venue TBC
*Over this weekend, Halifax Panthers and Barrow Raiders will also play their rescheduled Round 5 Betfred Championship fixture.
Photo Credit: Sheffield Eagles
