RFL Name Cup Sponsor

Under the deal the competition will be known as the Carnegie Challenge Cup, after the University’s Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education, where the new full-time referees will be based and Great Britain will hold training sessions.

"The partnership is both ground-breaking and unique in sport," said RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis.

“The RFL believes it is highly appropriate as there is a great deal of synergy between our organisational values and the values of the sport of rugby league."

The University has been involved in rugby league with sponsorship of Leeds Rhinos’ Headingley Stadium, including the new stand, and the World Club Challenge.

Today’s first round draw pitted Leeds Met against Wigan St Patricks, while the highlight of the round will see Thornhill Trojans, who last year reached the fourth round, welcome South London Storm to Yorkshire.

The games will take place on the 3-4th of February; National League clubs will enter at the third round stage, and engage Super League teams a round later.
 
Full first-round draw:

Rochdale Mayfield v Millom, Saddleworth v Halton Simms Cross, Thornhill v South London, Stanningley v Leigh East, Eccles and Salford v Blackbrook, Royal Navy v Waterhead, Siddal v York Acorn, Bradford Dudley Hill v Brighouse, Army v Leigh Miners, Eastmoor v Shaw Cross, East Leeds v Warrington Wizards, Wath Brow v Oulton, Seaton v Queens, Heworth v Hull Isberg, Drighlington v Askam, Skirlaugh v Milford, Hull Dockers v Thatto Heath, Dewsbury Celtic v Ovenden, Crosfields v West Bowling, Egremont v Oldham St Annes, Normanton v Fife Lions, Wigan St Patricks v Leeds Metropolitan University, Ince Rose Bridge v Widnes St Maries, Hull Victoria v Castleford Lock Lane, RAF v East Hull, Bramley v Wigan St Judes, West Hull v Castleford Panthers