Brighouse Rangers and Lock Lane handed ultimate Challenge Cup carrot
Brighouse Rangers and Lock Lane will play for the right to take on holders Hull KR after being handed a dream Challenge Cup draw.
The winners of the first-round tie were due to face Featherstone Rovers but now have a bye following the Rugby Football League's decision to deny the Post Office Road club a place in the league structure for 2026.
Brighouse and Lock Lane will face off next weekend after the original fixture fell victim to the cold snap and now have the ultimate carrot.
Rovers beat Warrington Wolves at Wembley in 2025 to end their 45-year wait for a second success in the competition.
Although they were handed an away tie in Monday's third-round draw, the Robins are likely to host the clash.
Lock Lane play in the Premier Division of the National Conference League, while Brighouse are in the second tier of the Yorkshire Men's League.
Elsewhere in the draw, Leeds Rhinos could face Widnes Vikings in one of the potential ties of the round.
The Vikings must first get past amateur sideThatto Heath Crusaders.
Castleford Tigers could face a trip to Doncaster, who play Newcastle Thunder in the second round, while Hull FC are likely to take on the new-look Salford Red Devils.
Bradford Bulls, who are back in Super League for the first time since 2014, will meet London Broncos if the Championship favourites see off Wests Warriors.
The third-round ties will be played over the weekend of February 6-8, with the final scheduled for May 30 at Wembley.
Challenge Cup third-round draw: Rochdale Mayfield/Ince Rose Bridge/Swinton Lions v Wakefield Trinity, Thatto Heath Crusaders/Widnes Vikings v Leeds Rhinos, Wigan St Judes/Leigh Miners Rangers/Barrow Raiders v York Knights, Batley Bulldogs/Hunslet ARLFC v Catalans Dragons, North Wales Crusaders/Bedford Tigers v Leigh Leopards, Brighouse Rangers/Lock Lane v Hull KR, Blackbrook/Workington Town v St Helens, Siddal/Waterhead/Rochdale Hornets v Wigan Warriors, London Broncos/West Warriors v Bradford Bulls, Sheffield Eagles/Whitehaven v Warrington Wolves, Hammersmith Hills Hoists/Salford Red Devils v Hull FC, Stanningley/Dewsbury Moor/Hunslet v Huddersfield Giants, Doncaster/Newcastle Thunder v Castleford Tigers, Halifax Panthers/Telford Raiders/London Chargers v Woodhouse/Mirfield/Goole Vikings, Oldham/Orrell St James v Dewsbury Rams/King Cross Park/West Hull, Heworth/RAF/Keighley Cougars v Midlands Hurricanes/Aberavon Fighting Irish.