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Defence Forces clash to beamed worldwide via The Sportsman

22 Jan 22, 10:06AM 0 Comments

Written by Rugby Football League

The historic meeting of the British Army and the Royal Navy in the Second Round of the Betfred Challenge Cup on Saturday January 29 will be streamed live by The Sportsman – with coverage also made available to serving military personnel and their families overseas through charity and media organisation, BFBS.

Both teams have been regulars in the Challenge Cup since they first entered in 2000 – six years after the ban on Rugby League in the Armed Services was lifted.

They play annual fixtures in the Inter Services Competition, but this is the first time they have been drawn together in the Cup.

The Navy were the first team to earn their place in the Second Round after a 60-0 win against Bridgend Blue Bulls on Friday January 14, while the Army came from behind to win a thriller at Orrell St James the following day.

The Navy will be aiming to reach the Third Round for the first time since 2011, while the Army have a more impressive recent pedigree with a run to the Fourth Round in 2020, their last Challenge Cup campaign after the competition was disrupted by Covid-19 last year.

The game will be played at The Army Rugby Stadium in Aldershot, Hampshire, with a 2pm kick-off.

Coverage will be available on The Sportsman’s YouTube channel from 1.45pm.

The Sportsman are committed to covering at least 20 matches across a range of competitions this season, and kicked off with Rochdale Mayfield’s win against Wigan St Patricks in the First Round.

Kick-Off times for all 12 Second Round ties have also been confirmed – see full details below.

As in the First Round, three Betfred Challenge Cup ties will be shown live and free of charge next weekend.

On Sunday January 30, BBC Sport will cover the meeting of two of the Betfred League One teams who enter the Challenge Cup at this stage, Rochdale Hornets and Midlands Hurricanes, from the Crown Oil Arena with a 1pm kick-off.

Then at 6pm, Our League will show the meeting of another League One club, Oldham, against the renowned Castleford community club Lock Lane – who had such an impressive win against Thatto Heath Crusaders in the First Round.

The RFL granted Oldham’s request for the game to be played on Sunday evening because of issues over ground availability.

The 12 winners will go into the draw for the Third Round at the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday evening (February 1) from 6pm, streamed live on BBC Sport.

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