2023 Betfred Challenge Cup Semi Final Draws The draw for the semi-finals of the Men's and Women's 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup took place at the DW Stadium at half time during the Wigan Warriors against Warrington Wolves quarter final game on Sunday afternoon. At the time of the draw, only two sides were certain of their place, that was Hull KR and St Helens who both made it through their ties yesterday against Salford and Hull FC respectively. The draws were made by Kevin Brown (Women's), Lois Forsell (Men's) READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

2023 Betfred Challenge Cup Semi Final Draws The draw for the semi-finals of the Men's and Women's 2023 Betfred Challenge Cup took place at the DW Stadium at half time during the Wigan Warriors against Warrington Wolves quarter final game on Sunday afternoon. At the time of the draw, only two sides were certain of their place, that was Hull KR and St Helens who both made it through their ties yesterday against Salford and Hull FC respectively. The draws were made by Kevin Brown (Women's), Lois Forsell (Men's) READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

confirmed Headingley on the Sunday 5pm following women's semi final, Leigh v Saints at Wire on the Saturday

Its not often that I applaud the RFL for their decision making but they have this absolutely spot on. Granted they are lucky in that Saints and Wigan women's teams are also in the SF but to do it the way they have done is common sense.

You'd like to think that the fans would potentially arrive earlier to watch the women and in turn generate a good crowd for them and obviously no-one will be leaving after the first game (well York fans will and Leeds on the Sunday) but you get my point.

Even the locations are sensible.

Apart from Leeds playing at home in a semi final

Yeah I get that but to do the double header means that something had to give. They take it to Saints then its relatively fair for the women but for the men Wigan only travel a few miles and HKR are a couple of hours away. There's no perfect formula.

Thought it would have been Huddersfield or Doncaster.

Crap kick off time

It would have made more sense for the Wigan v Hull KR game to be on the Saturday afternoon and the Saints v Leigh game to be on the Sunday early evening slot. Both Wigan and HKR fans have to travel and most of them will have work on the Monday morning. Saints and Leigh fans have next to no travel. Venues are correct but the days should have been reversed.

We can only be thankful they’ve not put it in Hull on a Thursday night.

A repeat of the 1963 and 1985 semi finals - both played in Leeds and both won by us! Let’s hope it continues.