Barrow Raiders have pulled the toughest opposition in the preliminary round of the 1895 Cup – a trip south to play London Broncos.
Barrow lead the way in the new-look Championship with maximum points from three games, while the Broncos have won both their matches so far.
Workington Town will also start their pursuit of the new-style 1895 Cup with a tough preliminary round game although it will be at the Fibrus Community Stadium.
However their opponents Newcastle Thunder are not the side that has been regularly rolled over in League One.
They have strengthened considerably, with several loan players from York Knights, and they also have Djekessi who was such a star on loan for Town last season from Castleford.
Whitehaven weren’t included in the preliminary round and have an interesting trip in store to relative newcomers Goole Vikings in the first round.
Anthony Murray’s side are still looking for their first win of the season with a Challenge Cup defeat and three Championship losses on their record.
In fact the Championship table looks gloomy with Haven and Town, propping up the table with Hunslet, Batley and Swinton also without a point.
Owing to a Championship schedule that has seen Featherstone Rovers and Halifax Panthers be liquidated, it has meant that there is a complicated and convoluted format to the 2026 1895 Cup competition.
Six teams were drawn together in what will be dubbed the preliminary round of the competition, making a last 16 that will all enter at the first round stage.
London, the undoubted favourites to win the competition given the impressive squad they have put together, and against the current table leaders Barrow will provide the stand-out game.
There is the incentive of a home draw against Keighley Cougars in Round 1 for the winners.
The winners of Workington or Newcastle will host Batley Bulldogs.
There has still been no confirmation on where the final will be played.
Preliminary Round (played weekend of March 14-15)
- London Broncos v Barrow Raiders
- Workington Town v Newcastle Thunder
- Swinton Lions v Sheffield Eagles
Round 1 (played weekend of April 18-19)
- London Broncos or Barrow Raiders v Keighley Cougars
- Doncaster v Salford RLFC
- Dewsbury Rams v Widnes Vikings
- Goole Vikings v Whitehaven
- Oldham v Hunslet
- Workington Town or Newcastle Thunder v Batley Bulldogs
- North Wales Crusaders v Midlands Hurricanes
- Rochdale Hornets v Swinton Lions or Sheffield Eagles
Barrow Raiders’ Paul Crarey gives his thoughts on the draw below:
