It is officially the start of the season for Super League clubs in the next few days, but not quite as you may remember it. The road to Old Trafford begins next Thursday when the reigning champions, Wigan, take on Leigh in a mouthwatering derby. But before then, all 12 top-flight clubs enter a revamped and remodelled Challenge Cup much earlier than usual.
In recent years, Super League clubs have entered as late as round six. This year, they come into the competition at round three after the Rugby Football League decided to try to pump some magic into the cup’s earlier stages by guaranteeing all Super League sides would be drawn away at lower-league opposition. However, it hasn’t quite gone to plan.
