Challenge Cup final postponed - but could still go ahead this year

Leeds Rhinos lift the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2015. Picture by Steve Riding.

The lower division 1895 Cup final, due to be played as a curtain-raiser, is also on hold, but the Rugby Football League insist neither competition has been cancelled.

Five rounds of the Challenge Cup have been played and the draw for the last 16 was made in March, on the day all rugby league was suspended because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The sixth round and quarter-finals have already been missed and the semi-finals were scheduled as a double header at Bolton on Saturday, June 6.

The Coral Challenge Cup. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Ironically, this year's final had been brought forward a month from its usual late-August date.

The Yorkshire Evening Post revealed in March that the RFL have looked at moving the Cup final to Old Trafford on October 10, the date and venue originally set for this year's Betfred Super League Grand Final.

However, the RFL say they have not given up hope of the final still being played at the national stadium.

An RFL spokesman confirmed: "The finals have been postponed, but not cancelled.

Dave Fifita takes the ball up for Wakefield Trinity during their Challenge Cup fifth round win over Bradford Bulls on March 13. Picture by Jonathan Gawthorpe.

"We are hoping to rearrange for later in the year, dependent on the government, public health and so on."

Leeds Rhinos are due to play host to Hull KR in the sixth round, when Wakefield Trinity will face neighbours Featherstone Rovers, Castleford Tigers travel to York City Knights and Hull are at Sheffield Eagles.

The 1895 Cup has yet to begin.

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