The Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Finals are underway this weekend with the eight remaining Betfred Super League clubs.
Remember, there’s going to be a different name on the trophy in 2025, with current holders Wigan Warriors’ shock exit in Round Four…
Wembley awaits on Saturday 7 June, but who will move to within one win of an appearance in the capital?
Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils
Catalans Dragons have home advantage when they welcome Salford Red Devils on Friday night.
They’ve only met twice in Challenge Cup history, with their last cup encounter coming in 2020 – the same year in which Salford reached the final.
The Red Devils never led in this 2020 quarter-final tie – and it was Dan Sarginson's dramatic winning effort in Golden Point extra-time which would eventually send the Reds into the final four.
The Dragons, who went on the win their first ever Challenge Cup Final in 2018, have competed in the quarters every year since (bar 2023), but fallen short on each occasion.
This will no doubt be added motivation, and Steve McNamara’s men will be looking to seize this opportunity on Friday - although cannot afford to underestimate their opponents.
Both sides will want to bounce back from respective Super League defeats in Round 6 and with knockout rugby league…anything can happen.
Catalans’ star man Sam Tomkins is also set to make his 400th career appearance, and it could be celebrations on the back on this. Can he help send the Dragons in a semi-final?
Catalans have beaten Halifax and Featherstone to reach the quarter-final stage, with Salford progressing after wins over Midlands and Bradford.
Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards
It’s going to be a double header for Wakefield Trinity and Leigh Leopards, who met just one week ago in Super League’s Round 6.
Trinity ran in seven tries against the Leopards, securing a 14-40 victory at the Leigh Sports Village and will be looking to replicate this stunning performance on Friday night.
Adrian Lam’s men will be out for revenge, so fans can expect a blood and thunder battle over in West Yorkshire.
Their last cup meeting came in 2023, when Leigh went on to become emphatic winners. They also faced each other at Belle Vue in a 2015 cup meeting, where the then Championship side Leigh Centurions snatched victory with a late try from former Wakefield man Oliver Wilkes.
An ambitious Leigh, the 2023 Challenge Cup victors, are on the hunt for more silverware in 2025.
The Leopards clinched a last gasp win at Wembley against Hull KR three seasons ago - claiming their first cup trophy in 52 years, with Lachlan Lam producing the match-winning one-pointer.
Meanwhile, Trinity finally got to relive the Wembley dream last year in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final – their first final appearance since 1979.
And now, they’re back in the big time and firmly on the rise. Let’s not forget…1895 Cup holders to Challenge Cup winners back-to-back has already been done before – by the Leigh Leopards.
Will Trinity go on to emulate this remarkable feat?
Wakefield have overcome Goole Vikings and Huddersfield Giants in the previous rounds, whilst Leigh cruised past Whitehaven and Batley.
This Quarter-Final clash will be available to watch on SuperLeague+ for users with an existing subscription, or as a PPV event for a one-off price of £7.99. Sign up here!
Hull FC v Hull KR
One of the biggest games to hit the city of Hull is upon us…
It’s set to be a truly epic occasion as Hull FC host inner-city rivals Hull KR at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, live on BBC One.
With a semi-final place and bragging rights at stake in this mouthwatering quarter-final tie, it’s difficult to think of a Hull Derby that has had as much excitement as this one.
Both sides are first and second in the Betfred Super League and enter this cup game in their finest form.
The Black & Whites continue to surprise in 2025, whilst the Robins remain unbeaten and are a force to be reckoned with.
Magic Mikey Lewis has scored a try in each of his sides' last three meetings with Hull FC, so he is a definite one to watch at the weekend, with glistening talent in both sides.
Hull KR have won five of the last six derbies, including two nillings on FC’s home patch – can Hull finally clinch the spoils?
Beating the Robins will no easy task – but it’s clear that both teams will be fuelled with motivation, thus setting it up to be a sensational and memorable spectacle.
KR are desperate to end their 40-year wait for silverware. They’ve had opportunities in the 2015 and 2013 finals, but it wasn’t to be for the Red & White army in these instances.
FC have happier Challenge Cup memories in recent times – most notably winning back-to-back finals in 2016 and 2017.
History will be made on Saturday as these two rivals haven’t met in the cup since 1980s, which includes the famous 10-5 final in 1980.
There are no second chances and with everything on the line, it’s a case of who wants it more come Saturday. Tensions will be at an all time high, but who's ready for a blistering battle with passion, pride and pure emotion?
Which side will triumph and which side's cup hopes will be crushed?
Hull FC come into this game on the back of an emphatic Round 4 win over holders and current champions Wigan Warriors - a massive scalp for the club.
Hull KR, on the other hand, convincingly defeated York and Oldham in Rounds 3 and 4.
Warrington Wolves v St Helens
There’s an unmissable quarter-final cup clash happening at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon, when last year’s Finalists Warrington Wolves entertain St Helens - live on BBC Two.
It’s a rematch of the 2024 Challenge Cup quarter-final, in which the Wolves dominated 8-31 at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
With both teams eyeing up top of the table finishes and silverware in 2025, it’s predicted to be a full-blooded affair, as their 19 (soon to be 20) meetings in the Challenge Cup date all the way back to 1900.
Their most recent meetings in this competition consist of the 2024 and 2020 Quarter-Finals – and more notably – 2019's Final.
2019 saw Warrington beat St Helens 18-4 in the Challenge Cup Final, with Daryl Clark, who is now a Saint, being the Wolves’ key man – scoring a sensational match-winning try and earning The Lance Todd Trophy on the back of it.
The Wolves appeared at Wembley last year but were defeated 8-18 to a formidable Wigan.
For St Helens, who are 13 times Challenge Cup winners, they last tasted success at Wembley in 2021 when they defeated Castleford Tigers 26-12.
Both St Helens and Warrington recently met in the Betfred Super League in Round 5, with Warrington clinching a 16-14 victory on the road.
Both teams enter this cup tie on the back of emphatic wins in Super League last weekend - Warrington came up with a dramatic win at home to Leeds, whilst Saints endured drop goal drama in Perpignan.
Matty Ashton for the Wolves is one to keep an eye out for - the Wolves speedster has scored tries in the Warrington's last five meetings with St Helens.
Who will register a semi-final place?
Warrington edged past Widnes in the previous round, whilst St Helens booked their place in the quarters through a scrappy win against Leeds.
Expect the Unexpected in the Betfred Challenge Cup!
Betfred Challenge Cup Quarter-Final fixtures:
Friday 4 April
Wakefield Trinity v Leigh Leopards, Friday 4 April (KO 8pm) – SuperLeague+
Catalans Dragons v Salford Red Devils, Friday 4 April (KO 8pm, CET)
Saturday 5 April
Hull FC v Hull KR, Saturday 5 April (KO 2.30pm) - BBC One and iPlayer
Sunday 6 April
Warrington Wolves v St Helens, Sunday 6 April (KO 2.30pm) - BBC Two and iPlayer
Saturday 7 June is Betfred Challenge Cup Finals Day 2025 – also including the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final, and RFL Champion Schools Year 7 Boys Final. Tickets are on sale now!
