The draws for the early rounds of both the Betfred Men’s and Women’s Challenge Cups will be broadcast live from Wembley Stadium today, Thursday 12 January, at 6pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport online.

Joining presenter Tanya Arnold for the draws will be head coach Matty Peet and England’s Kai Pearce-Paul from Men’s cup holders Wigan Warriors, and Eboni Partington from Women’s cup holders St Helens.

RNRL is delighted once again to have been invited to compete in the 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup joining the RAF, Army and GB Police in the 1st Round Draw.

As with last years competition the draw date of 12th January will feature both the 1st and 2nd round draws so once again teams will know their 2nd round opponents should they be successful in the 1st round.

The tournament kicks off on the weekend of February 11-12 with 34 teams from the community game including each of the three Armed Forces plus GB Police, six teams from the Southern Conference League, and one each from Wales, Scotland and Ireland – with Dublin City Exiles returning to the competition for the first time since 2002.

The 17 winners will be joined in the Second Round two weeks later by 10 teams from the Impact Performance National Conference League Premier Division and 11 teams from Betfred League One – including Cornwall RLFC, who will make their debut in the competition in their second full season, and Dewsbury Rams, who played in the first Wembley Final in 1929.

The 10 NCL Premier teams include a new name in Hunslet ARLFC, who have been formed through the merger of the 2022 champions Hunslet Club Parkside with Hunslet Warriors – and will join Hunslet RLFC, their professional neighbours, in the Second Round draw.

The First and Second Round draws will both be held at Wembley on January 12, and covered live, with the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup First Round draw, on BBC Sport – with further details of coverage to follow in the New Year.

Betfred Challenge Cup – First Round draw (34 teams)
Impact Performance NCL - Featherstone Lions, Heworth, Hull Dockers, Ince Rose Bridge, Milford, Myton Warriors, Oulton Raiders, Saddleworth Rangers, Skirlaugh, Stanningley, Thornhill Trojans, West Bowling, Wigan St Patricks;
Royal Navy, British Army, Great Britain Police, RAF;
Ashton Bears, Bedford Tigers, Brentwood Eels, Distington, Doncaster Toll Bar, Dublin City Exiles, Edinburgh Eagles, Fryston Warriors, Hammersmith Hills Hoists, Jarrow Vikings, London Chargers, North Herts Crusaders, Orrell St James, Rhondda Outlaws, Waterhead, Westgate Common, Wests Warriors.

Betfred Challenge Cup – Second Round draw (38 teams)
17 First Round winners
Impact Performance NCL Premier (10) – Hunslet ARLFC, Leigh Miners, Lock Lane, Pilkington Recs, Rochdale Mayfield, Siddal, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Wath Brow Hornets, West Hull, York Acorn
Betfred League One (11) – Cornwall, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, Hunslet, London Skolars, Midlands Hurricanes, North Wales Crusaders, Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, West Wales Raiders, Workington Town

We are all looking forward to the Challenge Cup following last years fantastic Cup Run and hope you can join us for our 1st Round fixture!