Next weekend's challenge cup 4th round games involving Championship sides could have a significant effect on their clubs' fortunes for the next month or so, take Fev for example, after last night's shocker for them they have the emotional & physical drain of their televised local derby with their big brothers from next door. How they emerge from this tie is very important to their season, win & it's an enormous lift, lose and depending how they lose and it could impact in a negative way, likewise Keighley. Nobody who was at the game on friday can deny how much they've come on this season under JD, but a cup tie against Wire probably isn't ideal for them.
On the other hand, the form teams of Fax & Eagles of lower profile opponents in Scorpions & York so will possibly be faced with the same dilema's as Fev & Keighley in the 5th round, and there are some big super league sides going out in the 4th round. Very interesting times ahead I think.
London Broncos v Dewsbury Rams
Widnes Vikings v St Helens
Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Whitehaven v Salford City Reds
Featherstone Rovers v Castleford Tigers
Hull FC v Huddersfield Giants
Wigan Warriors v North Wales Crusaders
Swinton Lions v Gateshead Thunder
Hull KR v Catalan Dragons
Bradford Bulls v Doncaster
South Wales Scorpions v Halifax
York City Knights v Sheffield Eagles
Keighley Cougars v Warrington Wolves
Leigh Centurions v Rochdale Hornets
Oldham v Barrow Raiders
Hunslet Hawks v Batley Bulldogs