Challenge Cup’s overdue day in the Bolton sun is a chance to shine

Sunday’s showcasing of the St Helens v Catalans and Warrington v Leeds semi-finals on the BBC is just what rugby league’s most prestigious competition needsFor many rugby league followers, Sunday’s Challenge Cup semi-finals provide the sport’s most prestigious competition with a long overdue occasion. While the Wembley final remains the thriving centrepiece of the domestic calendar, the semi-finals have undoubtedly stagnated in recent years. The announcement from the RFL in May, therefore, to merge the two games into one double-header at Bolton this weekend was met with unanimous positivity – a rarity in rugby league.The decision has already proven worthwhile. Over the last three years, attendances for the semi-finals have failed even to average 12,000 but this Sunday there will be a sell-out crowd of 28,000. Related: St Helens’ James Roby: ‘I’ll be in the pub watching these lads still playing’ Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian

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