The Third Round draw of the Challenge Cup will take place way up the A1 in Gateshead next Tuesday and I'll do my best to blog my reaction to the draw as soon as I can afterwards.
Last year myself and Adrian Jackson, with whom I contribute a regular rugby league show on Warrington Hospitals Radio General, went up to Leeds on a dreadful night, getting to Headingley minutes before the draw. One of these days I'll tell that story.
This year, work commitments mean I won't be at the draw, but I find it interesting that the RFL are taking it on the road. I'm sure the draw for the Second Round was done on board Nelson's old flagship HMS Victory. It is good that the Cup is being taken around the country.
This time, the setting is the vast Metro Centre with action happening at six with some of those lucky North East people having the chance to have their picture taken with the famous old cup from four o'clock.
I was lucky enough to be at fairly close quarters to the impressive trophy last season when I attended one of the pre-Challenge Cup Final media conferences. It was still very impressive. My earlier memories of the cup were of it visiting my high school for a summer fair. Being a Leigh fan, I then spent 15 minutes finding the club's name on it!
Here is the official press release from the RFL:
Gateshead to host Carnegie Challenge Cup draw
The draw for the third round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup will take place next Tuesday, February 16, live from the Metro Centre in Gateshead.
The third round sees the 13 qualifiers from this weekend’s second round ties joined by 20 Co-operative Championships clubs and three clubs from the French Federation, including Toulouse Olympique.
Co-operative Championship One newcomers South Wales Scorpions will not participate in this year’s Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Gateshead earned the right to host the third round draw by becoming the most successful Co-operative Championships club in the Carnegie Challenge Cup last year, when they reached the quarter-final stage before losing to St Helens.
The draw will be held at 6.00pm in the Exhibition Centre at the Metro Centre, where the 113-year-old Carnegie Challenge Cup will be on display for photo opportunities from 4.00pm.
Tickets for the 2010 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday August 28 are priced from just £21 with family tickets for two adults and two children available for as little as £55.
Until Friday March 26, complimentary upgrades are available on all ticket bands, with the exception of £76 tickets. For example, anyone purchasing a £31 ticket will automatically be upgraded to a £41 ticket.
Ticket can be purchased from the RFL ticket office on 0844 856 11 13 or by visiting http://www.carnegiechallengecup.co.uk/.
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