Super League clubs to join Challenge Cup earlier

The Rugby Football League has announced next year's Challenge Cup will have a new structure, with the 12 Super League clubs joining at the third-round stage.

They did not previously enter the competition until the sixth round.

The third-round ties will be drawn in January and played in February, with Super League sides obliged to play away at seeded lower-division teams who have won their second-round matches.

The fourth round, featuring 16 clubs, will then take place in March, before quarter-finals in April and semi-finals on the weekend of 10-11 May.

Wembley Stadium will again host the final on June 7.

Rhodri Jones, managing director of Rugby League Commercial, said: "It was pleasing to announce an attendance of 64,845 for Finals Day at Wembley this month.

"But we recognised a need to reshape and reinvigorate the early rounds of the competition, which we believe will allow us to maintain that trend at Wembley next June."

Organisers want the changes to help build momentum towards Finals Day and keep the competition exciting.

The first round will continue to feature sides from the community game, while League One and Championship clubs will enter in the second round.

Wigan Warriors beat Warrington Wolves earlier this month to win the Challenge Cup for a record-extending 21st time.