Challenge Cup: All eyes on Army v RAF first-round tie in Aldershot

An all-military tie will once again be the most eye-catching clash in the first round of this year's Betfred Challenge Cup.

The British Army will host the Royal Air Force at their home in Aldershot, in what could be seen as a rematch of their title-deciding Inter Services match from last September, which saw the RAF clinch the Inter Services title for the first time in eight years.

It is the second consecutive year that two military teams have faced each other in the Challenge Cup after the Royal Navy beat the RAF 28-22 in the first round of the tournament last year.

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Elsewhere, the Navy will play away against Challenge Cup debutants Mirfield ARLFC in Yorkshire.

The first time the Challenge Cup pinned two military outfits against each other was in 2022, when the Army were drawn against the Navy.

After the ban on Rugby League in the Armed Forces was lifted in 1994, men's teams from the three services entered the Challenge Cup for the first time in 2000.

Ever since then, the best-ever results from the three services came when the Army reached the fourth round of the Challenge Cup in 2020, and that was soon matched by the Navy when they reached the fourth round in 2022.

The Royal Air Force's best result came in 2002 when they reached the third round of the tournament, but the light blues haven't bettered that result since.

All three military teams were ruled out of the 2021 Challenge Cup after the Rugby Football League decided to only allow professional clubs to enter due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This year's tournament comes with a brand-new structure, as 12 Betfred Super League teams will be starting their tournament earlier than they have in recent years.

The Super League teams will come into the tournament in the third round in February rather than in the fourth round, with the aim of building more momentum towards the showpiece Finals Day at Wembley in June.

This means that if either the Army, Navy or the RAF reaches the third round, there is a possibility that they could secure a glamour tie at home to Super League opposition with the third round draw being seeded to guarantee each of the Super League clubs to travel away to one of the 20 Second Round winners.

The UK Armed Forces' continued participation in the Challenge Cup exemplifies the ever-growing success of Rugby League across the services.

Three Army Rugby League executives were included in the King's recent New Year's Honours list, with Lieutenant Colonel David Groce being awarded an OBE for his services to Rugby League, and Sergeant Merini Serakasiga and Sergeant Alan Boyle both receiving MBEs.

BFBS Sport will be broadcasting the Army v RAF first-round tie live on the BFBS Forces News YouTube Channel.

Find out more on how you can follow the Betfred Challenge Cup here.