Rugby League National Leagues

Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round draw

Holders Warrington Wolves will begin their defence of the Carnegie Challenge Cup against Co-operative Championship club Featherstone Rovers.

The Wolves, who beat Huddersfield Giants at Wembley last August, will have home advantage in the fourth round on the weekend of April 16-18.

The outstanding tie of the last 32 pits Engage Super League champions Leeds Rhinos against Engage Super League rivals Hull FC at the KC Stadium in a repeat of the 2005 final which was won by the Black and Whites.

“It’s a tough draw,” said Leeds coach Brian McClennan. “We’ll have to perform very well to beat Hull on their ground.”

The Hull-Leeds tie, which is a repeat of the 1910 final which was won by Leeds, is one of four all-Super League clashes.

Last year’s runners-up Huddersfield are at home to Hull Kingston Rovers while Wakefield Trinity Wildcats visit Harlequins RL and Catalans Dragons host Salford City Reds.

Wigan Warriors meet Sheffield Eagles in a repeat of the famous 1998 Wembley final while St Helens, who won the trophy four times in a row up to 2008, are at home to Championship club Toulouse, one of four French clubs in the last 32.

“It’s fair to say it’s a favourable draw,” said Saints full-back Paul Wellens.

Leigh must travel to Limoux while Widnes will be at home to Lezignan providing they overcome amateurs Wigan St Judes in a delayed third-round tie tomorrow night.

Siddal, the only amateur club definitely in the fourth round, have landed a home tie against Batley.

McClennan, whose side lost 22-18 to St Helens in round four last season, hopes his side do not come unstuck at the KC Stadium this time around.

“It’s part of the drama of the Challenge Cup that there are some tight encounters and exciting draws, he said.

“We’ll take it one game at a time and that’s all you can do. It’s one hell of a challenge, going to Hull and playing them at their ground.

“We won’t be looking any further than the first minute of that game and making sure we’re in there competing and putting in a good performance and if we don’t we’ll be out.”

Wolves coach Tony Smith, who took less than six months to end Warrington’s 25-year wait for a major trophy when they beat Huddersfield Giants 25-16 at Wembley, said: “That’s a tough draw, tougher than most people would think.

“They are one of the favourites from the division below so it will be a tough fixture for us.”

Smith admitted last year’s triumph should provide the necessary motivation for them to make a similar push in this season’s competition.

He added: “The will to go back and do it again is great from all of us. For the fans, players and coaches, that would be fantastic.

“It’s a new year and you have to start all over again. Just by having the experience doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to go back there again.

“It gives you a taste of what it’s like and Wembley is certainly a special place. We’ll be fighting to go back again.”

The draw for the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup:

York v Crusaders
Hunslet v Oldham
Swinton v Halifax
Limoux v Leigh
Harlequins v Wakefield
St Helens v Toulouse
Widnes or Wigan St Judes v Lezignan
Catalans v Salford
Sheffield Eagles v Wigan
Siddal v Batley
Hull v Leeds
Castleford v Barrow
Warrington v Featherstone
Blackpool v Whitehaven
Huddersfield v Hull KR
Dewsbury v Bradford

Ties to be played on the weekend of April 16-18.