Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Semi Final Draw




The draw for the semi-final of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup took place at St Helens following their victory over Hull FC.
In a ground breaking move, the semi-finals will be played back-to-back at Bolton’s Macron Stadium on the 5th August, kicking off at 12:30 and 14:45, with both games being broadcast live on the BBC in a rugby league extravaganza.
Catalans Dragons, Leeds Rhinos, St Helens and Warrington Wolves were all in the hat with hopes of a Wembley trip on the 25th of August.
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Tough draw as things stand right now. 2 months away though so hopefully we will have less of a depleted squad by that time.

Found it amusing saints fans singing about being at wembley already. If they play like they did today Cats will run them close in the semi.

Catalans woukdn’t Stand a chance, and won’t come August. Saints might not have been at best today, but would have still beaten any other team in our comp. Hull were incredible for what they throw at you, never mind the adversity they are going through. We wouldn’t Have come close to either side today.

Stop it, saints were average at best if it wasn't for the sin bins they lose.Warrington would have destroyed both on current form.

I don't see point in bringing us into the discussion, it goes without saying we are way off the top sides with the squad depletion and current form.if semis were within the next month we wouldn't have a prayer but two months is a long time, we will see.

spot on. saints could have 6 out by then. wait and see

What will be intriguing is for 80mins Wire and Leeds fans will be standing shoulder to shoulder as allies in support of Catalans!

And then for 80 will be at each other’s throats. Think Saints were a bit complacent by their own standards yesterday but that hasn’t been a regular occurrence this season. Think it will take a massive off day and some better discipline to beat them.

Complacent? for a cup semi? I doubt that. They just came up against a side not prepared to stand back and watch them play. Not a regular occurrence, perhaps, but it's happened earlier this year and it'll almost certainly happen again as games start to get more serious.

You changed your opinion now?



Anyway, our season pretty much here and now on this game. I would be tempted to rest as many as possible in the dead rubber against Salford this week and be all fresh to give it everything in the Semi.

I'm not sure about resting players, we have lacked any kind of confidence all the way through the season and Fridays win could give them a bit of a lift and I think we need to continue that, If I'm honest I think the CC could be a an unwanted distraction, we need to win 5 of the games in the middle 8s and it will be a lot trickier this year, I'm just hoping the fixtures are kind to us and we get the majority of the 'easier' games out of the way first.

A lot of our players look jaded and could benefit from a weeks rest. This game means nothing at all and Salford are also prepping for the 8s, its almost like a benefit match.all the focus now should be on the semi imo, our only chance of silverware.

With all due respect to the other 7 teams we shouldn't ever be worrying about being outside the top 2 of that lot let alone being involved in the MPG.

If Leeds are seriously worried about the middle 8's then something is very seriously wrong.

None of the Championship sides should give Leeds any issues and the games should see a 30+ point win.

The SL sides - Salford and Widnes should be walk in the park - that leaves HKR, which could be tougher if its played at Hull.

The only consideration for me is playing Toronto at home - if that needs a win on Sunday field a stronger side if not rest a few

We've won 1 of our past 10.

Now is not the time to rest anyone!! Play our strongest available team, get another strong win under our belts and finally have some confidence and 'form' going into the business end of this season.

I am unsure as to how a wine against a side that quite frankly are an embarrassment is going to improve confidence.

If they put 50 past Salford what will that prove?

The only game that matters in the near future is the CC semi - winning that should be the focus of attention - short term

It won't be.

Actually if we put 50 past Salford it would prove quite a lot, on this occassion. Our biggest win this season, in the league, (most points scored) was against Widnes on Friday, before that it was 28 points. That is utterly pathetic for any team. I think every Super League club bar us, as scored at least 50 points in at least one match this season. Even in the championship, I believe the majority have scored 50 plus in at least one match this season.

Our attacking structure is poor, and this is the main reason we are in the mess we are in. IF that could improve by working together more, then I can see fully where Chritopher is coming from with regards his post.

IMO we have shown some signs of improvement in the structure area in the last 2 games and I think we need to continue working on that, I think in the last few minutes against Widnes we actually tried a planned move from the base of the scrum, I don't think Ive seen that al season! Also Dwyer needs to continue at starting hooker, not sure whats happened to him but he's been fabulous the last two games which has helped us getting some momentum.

Never thought I would say this but I wouldn`t want us to get to the CC Final as it would paper over the cracks we have had for 3 years now despite us winning the GF last year.
Anyway I would hate to get thrashed by everyone`s favourite team Catalans on the day

To be fair I don't think theres any papering of cracks going on, I think Sinfield is well aware of the squads weaknesses and will be willing to sort it, I think it speaks volumes that as soon as he came in he's signed a Prop and a fairly decent one too, we have needed that since Galloway retired and I imagine we could have got Crosby earlier than we did.

Any news on ticket sales for the double header? Obviously only really three teams selling tickets, whatever neutrals attend will be getting behind le cats i'm sure.

play the full squad !

What all 25+ ?

Over 20000 tickets sold and all four clubs are selling tickets

I've always thought the worst way to prepare for a big game is to dump the game the week before. Douggie did that and it never helped. We've scored a meh win over a dreadful team. That doesn't even start to give us momentum to beat a half-decent team desperately wanting to win the semi. I think we need to build momentum and confidence by playing our strongest team vs Salford. If we dump the Salford game then get hammered by Warrington we'll be starting froma very low ebb going into the 8s, which is definitely not the way to go.

Totally agree.
I would play our strongest lineup every week until we are safe.