Challenge Cup: Leeds drawn to face St Helens in round three

Holders Leeds to take on Super League champions in tie of the round; Championship side York City Knights at home to 19-time winners Wigan; Matches will remain behind closed doors with crowds not due back until late May

Image: Leeds beat Salford in last season's Challenge Cup final

Leeds will begin their defence of the Betfred Challenge Cup with an eye-catching third-round tie against Super League champions St Helens.

The Rhinos are aiming for a fourth Cup triumph in the last eight years, while it is 13 years since the last of Saints' 12 victories.

The draw was made by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, during a visit to Warrington to mark the return of recreational sport.

York City Knights, one of four part-time Championship clubs in the last 16, were paired with 19-time winners Wigan in the draw.

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However, the Knights, who have moved into a brand new 8,000-capacity stadium, will not be able to fully cash in on the glamour tie, since matches will continue to be played behind closed doors until late May at the earliest.

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York, who lost out to Leigh in the bid to win a place in Super League in 2021, beat Sheffield Eagles and London Broncos to reach the third-round stage.

Their Championship rivals Swinton take on 2019 winners Warrington, while Widnes face a trip to last October's beaten finalists Salford and Featherstone, who last won the Cup in 1983, have been paired with Hull in a repeat of that final from 28 years ago.

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Wakefield will make a trip to Perpignan to face Catalans Dragons, who knocked them out of last season's competition.

Image: Super League champions St Helens have not won the Challenge Cup for 13 years

Betfred Challenge Cup fourth-round draw (Ties to be played on April 9-11):

York vs Wigan

Swinton vs Warrington

Hull KR vs Castleford

Catalans vs Wakefield

Featherstone vs Hull

St Helens vs Leeds

Leigh vs Huddersfield

Salford vs Widnes.

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