Grassroots Rugby League clubs across the country hit the Wembley trail this weekend in the Preliminary Round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.

20 ties are being played with the winners progressing to the First Round of the historic knock out cup competition on the weekend of February 18 and 19.

Scottish champions Edinburgh Eagles face the longest trip as they travel to West Yorkshire to take on Conference League One side Stanley Rangers whilst another team who will be clocking up the miles will be Gloucestershire University who head north to face Rochdale Mayfield.

Edinburgh Eagles Team Manager, Ollie Cruickshank said: “It’s great to be involved in the competition; the history of the Challenge Cup is amazing and three rounds down the line we could be up against professional opposition.

“We’ll have a big push to get there and it would be great to draw a big name for an away trip.

“We’re setting off at 7.30 and it’s a long way to go but it’ll be a good game and we’re looking forward to it. We have a big squad with 30 players to pick from this season, we had four players included in the Scotland squad back in October and we’re looking to run two sides this year which will be a first for a Scottish team.”

Elsewhere, reigning Rugby League Conference National champions Huddersfield Underbank Rangers have a tough trip to Cumbria where Seaton Rangers will be waiting, whilst both Hunslet sides – the Old Boys and Warriors – have interesting looking ties against midlands opposition as they face Nottingham Outlaws and Loughborough University.

The British Police will also be hitting the road as they take on Millom and warmed up for the encounter with a hard-fought 32-24 win over the Fire Service.

Carnegie Challenge Cup Preliminary Round:

Saturday February 4

Nottingham Outlaws v Hunslet Old Boys
14:00

Oldham St Annes v Bentley Good Companions
14:00

Eastmoor Dragons v Wigan St Judes
14:00

Leeds Met University v Ovenden
At Milford Sports Club
13:30

Seaton Rangers v Huddersfield Underbank R
14:00

Egremont Rangers v Bank Quay Bulls
13:30

York Acorn v Norland Sharks
13:30

Rochdale Mayfield v University of Gloucestershire All Golds
14:00

Loughborough University v Hunslet Warriors
13:30

Bradford Dudley Hill v Castleford Panthers
13:30

Warrington Wizards v East Leeds
13:30

Castleford Lock Lane v Elland
13:30

Wigan St Cuthberts v Northumbria University
14:00

Kells v Widnes West Bank
14:00

Featherstone Lions v Askam
14:00

Normanton Knights v Milford Marlins
14:00

Blackbrook v Eccles & Salford Juniors
14:00

Sunday February 5
 
Hull University v Waterhead
14:00

Millom v British Police
14:00

Stanley Rangers v Edinburgh Eagles
13.30

Carnegie Challenge Cup First Round:
(ties to be played over the weekend of February 18/19)

Castleford Lock Lane or Elland v Sharlston Rovers
Shaw Cross Sharks v York Acorn or Norland Sharks
Egremont Rangers or Bank Quay Bulls v Leeds Metropolitan University or Ovenden
Wigan St Cuthberts or Northumbria University v Eastmoor Dragons or Wigan St Judes
Loughborough University or Hunslet Warriors v Oldham St Annes or Bentley Good Companions
Nottingham Outlaws or Hunslet Warriors v University of Hull or Waterhead
Seaton Rangers or Huddersfield Underbank Rangers v Stanley Rangers or Edinburgh Eagles
Blackbrook or Eccles v Warrington Wizards or East Leeds
Millom or British Police v Rochdale Mayfield or University of Gloucestershire All Golds
Kells or Widnes Widnes West Bank v Normanton Knights or Milford Marlins
Bradford Dudley Hill or Castleford Panthers v Featherstone Lions or Askam

Community Rugby League clubs that don’t manage to reach the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 25 can take advantage of some spectacular cashback offers instead by booking a group deal  through the RFL.

Purchase either a £26 ticket and receive £10 cashback per ticket sold or a £41 ticket with a free upgrade to a £51 ticket, also with £10 cashback.

Any clubs that are interested in organising a trip to the event are encouraged to contact the RFL’s Business Development team for information about how they can get cashback for a group deal.

RFL Business Development Team:

Bev Coleman
07595 520 578
bev.coleman@rfl.uk.com

Ray Tennant
07595 520 338
ray.tennant@rfl.uk.com

For more information about the Carnegie Challenge Cup visit www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk