Daryl Powell senses Challenge Cup opportunity for Wakefield Trinity as York Knights narrow focus
Daryl Powell is sensing an opportunity to end Wakefield Trinity's long wait for a major trophy after the Challenge Cup final was brought forward to May.
Trinity won the Championship treble in Powell's first season at the helm but 58 years have passed since the club last claimed a top-level prize.
After reaching the quarter-finals in 2025, Powell has challenged Wakefield to prove they are ready for the biggest games.
"We lost to Leigh last year, which was the first tough game we had," said Powell, whose side begin their 2026 journey at Swinton Lions on Sunday. "We want to go better than that.
"The final is early on in the year this year. In years gone by when it was later in the year, it was pretty tough to do both competitions.
"They're standalone weeks so it's a case of concentrating a week at a time and having a go at it."
The new cup format sees Super League clubs kick off their season away to lower-league opposition.
Powell has braced his team for throwback conditions at Swinton.
"We played them a couple of years back in the Champ so we know what it's like there," said Powell. "From what I've seen of the pitch, it looks like it'll be winter rugby.
"We've just got to go there, make sure we respect Swinton and do what we need to do.
"The Challenge Cup is important. We need to win the game."
Like Wakefield, York Knights have been handed a tricky assignment as they gear up for the start of Super League next weekend.
The Knights head to Cumbria to face Barrow Raiders on Saturday evening, leaving Mark Applegarth’s side with just a five-day turnaround before their opening-night clash with defending Super League champions Hull KR.
But Applegarth has stressed that York are only focused on ensuring their name is in the hat for Monday’s fourth-round draw.
"Barrow are Barrow," said the Knights boss. "It's never an easy game, especially at this time of year.
"It'll be a proper traditional Challenge Cup tie and is one we're relishing.
"We won't be looking at Hull KR until we get this game out of the way. We're all just itching to get started."
Elsewhere this weekend, Batley Bulldogs host Catalans Dragons, Keighley Cougars welcome Midlands Hurricanes and Dewsbury Rams head to Oldham.
Halifax Panthers and Goole Vikings face off at The Shay, guaranteeing at least one second-tier Yorkshire club in the last 16.