Rochdale to host Challenge Cup double draw
Rochdale will host the draw for the third and fourth rounds of the Challenge Cup on Tuesday, February 1.
Hornets will celebrate the centenary of their only Challenge Cup winning year in 1922 by hosting the double draw at the Crown Oil Arena.
The draws will be conducted by Paul Sculthorpe MBE and Vicky Molyneux, and shown live on BBC Sport from 6pm.
Sculthorpe, four times a Challenge Cup winner with St Helens, is now a member of Shaun Wane’s England coaching team.
Molyneux plays for Wigan in the Women’s Super League. She made an unusual slice of history in 2021 when she was recalled for her second and third England caps 14 years after her debut in 2007. She is therefore in line to play for England in the Women’s World Cup competition this autumn. Molyneux has retained strong links with Rochdale, her hometown, as she has been involved in coaching Women’s and Girls’ Rugby League.
READ MORE: Round one Challenge Cup round-up
100 years on for Rochdale Hornets
Hornets enjoyed arguably their finest hour in April 1922 at Headingley, when they beat Hull FC 10-9. They also saw victories over Broughton Moor, Leeds, Oldham and Widnes to reach the Final.
Matt Calland’s side enter the cup competition in the second round as they host Midlands Hurricanes. The tie will be streamed live by BBC Sport.
Sculthorpe and Molyneux will also conduct the draw for the fourth Round, when the 14 Championship clubs enter the competition.
Those ties will be played on the weekend of February 26-27.
“This is a special competition”
Hornets chief executive Steve Kerr said: “We’re thrilled to host the Betfred Challenge Cup draw to mark our centenary since our 1922 Cup win.
“It was a special moment in the club’s history which we are determined to mark this year. It would be great if we could progress and maybe even draw Hull FC in the later rounds of the competition.
“Cup dreams are always possible. But of course we need to beat the Midlands Hurricanes as our first opponents on Sunday week – a game we are really looking forward to. It will also be a special occasion for our visitors as their first Cup-tie as the Hurricanes.
“This is a special competition that every club, fan and player loves to be part of.
“I’m delighted to share it with the Rochdale business community and welcome our special guests Paul Sculthorpe MBE and our very own Rochdale star Vicky Molyneux, who features in the England squad. She has been busy coaching and inspiring girls in Rochdale to take up rugby league.”