Wembley Challenge Cup dream set to end early for several Super League clubs

Chances of a giant-killing act were lessened drastically given more than half the elite competition’s sides were pitted against each other.

A quartet of all-Super League ties includes a West Yorkshire derby between Leeds Rhinos – beaten finalists in each of the last two seasons – and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Headingley Carnegie, while Huddersfield Giants visit fellow high-fliers Hull FC.

Hull KR, meanwhile, entertain Catalan Dragons and Widnes Vikings face St Helens as clubs battle it out for a place in the last 16.

However, the most fascinating contest, and perhaps greatest opportunity for an upset, is the highly evocative tie between two other fierce West Yorkshire rivals – Featherstone Rovers, famous underdog winners in 1983, and near-neighbours Castleford Tigers.

Championship Grand Final victors Featherstone are striving to earn a Super League licence in 2015 and taking the scalp of their age-old rivals, who currently sit bottom of the top flight, would serve as a major boost in that quest.

Ironically, Lee Crooks, the last Castleford captain to lift silverware after leading them to the 1994 Regal Trophy, picked out Tigers as the away team in last night’s draw – just hours after starting his new job as Featherstone’s general manager.

Rovers coach Daryl Powell, who won the Challenge Cup as a player the last time Leeds prospered in 1999, told the Yorkshire Post: “I mentioned it to him today – his first day here – that Cas’ at home would be just the draw we’d want so it’s pretty ironic he drew them out of the hat.

“It’s certainly a great game. It’s one of the most local derbies around, it’s been a long while since we last played them in a competitive match and maybe it will even take the eye as a televised match.

“People will see Cas’ are struggling a bit but they still have a load of quality players in their side and will see this as an opportunity to kick-start their season. There are a few games to go before the tie, but we’ll definitely be looking to do well in it.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to have a real crack at a Super League team on our own home ground, something we’ve not had for a few years.

“They’ll be favourites and we’ll have to play exceptionally well to progress. But we’re in good form and to be able to put a marker down against such a side certainly won’t harm our chances when it comes to a licence in a few years’ time.”

Meanwhile, Wakefield coach Richard Agar admits his side could have their work cut out against Super League champions Leeds, as the clubs who met in the famous Watersplash final of 1968 reconvene.

“It’s a tough draw,” he said.

“We’re playing a side who are used to finding their way to finals. But we’re travelling alright at the moment. We’re finding our feet and learning how to win games but we will have to be very much at our best.”

Holders Wigan Warriors have a relatively simple task as they begin their defence against newly-formed Wrexham club North Wales Crusaders.

Wigan head coach Shaun Wane, who was assistant to Michael Maguire when the Warriors lifted the trophy at Wembley last August, was pleased to see his side paired with third-tier opposition.

“We’ll give them the respect they deserve but it could have been a lot worse,” he said.

Elsewhere, Bradford Bulls welcome Championship One club Doncaster ,while Keighley Cougars play Warrington Wolves for a second year running, only this time on home turf.

Ties will be played on the weekend of April 14-15 with the BBC likely to select Hull FC v Huddersfield as one of their broadcast games.

Carnegie Challenge Cup fourth round draw: London Broncos v Dewsbury Rams, Widnes Vikings v St Helens, Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Whitehaven v Salford City Reds, Featherstone Rovers v Castleford Tigers, Hull FC v Huddersfield Giants, Wigan v North Wales Crusaders, Swinton Lions v Gateshead Thunder, Hull Kingston Rovers v Catalan Dragons, Bradford Bulls v Doncaster, South Wales Scorpions v Halifax, York City Knights v Sheffield Eagles, Keighley Cougars v Warrington Wolves, Leigh Centurions v Rochdale Hornets, Oldham v Barrow Raiders, Hunslet Hawks v Batley Bulldogs. Games played on weekend of April 14-15.