It has not been a great week for the Challenge Cup, the oldest knockout competition in world rugby. The highlight of the fifth-round draw turned out to be a facile romp for the holders, Warrington, as Huddersfield produced their worst performance in years, and although the other televised tie between Crusaders and Catalans was a much tighter contest decided by the odd point in 69, it was played in front of an embarrassingly empty Racecourse Ground in Wrexham.

Thomas Bosc's late drop goal also denied the Crusaders, and Welsh rugby league in general, the huge benefits they could have derived from a lengthy cup run, and the quarter-final draw that followed wasn't ideal, either. Leeds versus Wigan should be a humdinger, but it would have been better as a semi-final or even the final.

A home tie against the Catalans isn't much of an incentive for Swinton or Batley when they meet in next Wednesday's rearranged fifth-round tie – another embarrassment to the cup, as it follows the belated discovery that Halifax had fielded an ineligible player in the previous round, forcing their disqualification from the tournament.

Bradford versus Warrington should be a fascinating contest but the BBC would far rather it had been played at an atmospheric Halliwell Jones Stadium than in front of the vast Odsal terraces.

The draw has also been unkind to Barrow, forcing them to travel to St Helens when a home game against the Saints would have been a terrific occasion at Craven Park.

There would be obvious problems surrounding the kick-off times in the middle of the Catalan summer – and of course Swinton or Batley retain the ability to make the whole plan a non-starter by beating the Catalans in the quarter-finals.

But if the Dragons do make it to the semis, can anyone think of a better way of making a grand statement to restore the magic of the Challenge Cup?

NEWS:
26th EIF Rugby is hosting 2 Open Days, where everyone can come along and join in lot fo rugby related fun. So wheather you're a total beginner wanting to try rugby for the first time, have played a bit from school or an experienced international come on down and enjoy the day with us and become part of the future of EIF Rugby.

For more details check out the website and see what Enebybergs If has to offer:

http://www1.idrottonline.se/EnebybergsIF/Nyheter/Egna-nyheter/Rugby-nyidrottinomEIF/

mvh: VRS RUGBY