Cumbria’s Challenge Cup representative Lowca has a home tie against Scotland’s Edinburgh Eagles.

As the cold winter nights make summer a distant memory the Challenge Cup draw gives rugby league fans a dream of spring sunlight and warmth, even though the first two rounds take place in January.

Drawn at BBC Radio Manchester’s MediaCity HQ by three-time Challenge Cup winner Josh Charnley from cup holders Leigh Leopards the first two rounds were revealed.

Three teams everyone looks out for and forward to facing are the Armed Forces, Fryston Warriors has a home tie to the British Army while the Royal Air Force welcome the Royal Navy.

Cumbrian Lowca welcome Edinburgh Eagles in what will be an interesting tie while the all regional ties have Doncaster Toll Bar hosting Ashton Bears, Challenge Cup first timers Haresfinch head to Orrell St James while Londoners Hammersmith Hill Hoists play Gillingham’s Medway Dragons and London’s Wests Warriors take on Yorkshire’s Newsome Panthers.

All ties are due to be played over the weekend of the 13/14 January.

Round One – 13/14 January

• Fryston Warriors v British Army  
• Lowca v Edinburgh Eagles 
• South Wales Jets v Stanningley 
• Royal Air Force v Royal Navy 
• Doncaster Toll Bar v Ashton Bears 
• Orrell St James v Haresfinch  
• Clock Face Miners v Heworth 
• Oulton Raiders v West Bowling 
• Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Medway Dragons 
• Wests Warriors v Newsome Panthers  

The winners of the first round know which National League side they will be facing with some fantastic games planned.

Cumbrians Lowca face a trip to Premier Division side Lock Lane if they make it past Edinburgh Eagles while play-off making Wath Brow Hornets head to Division One’s Hull Dockers.

Fryston Warriors or the British Army face a tough game at home to double winning Premier Division Hunslet ARLFC as West Hull head to Aston Bears or Doncaster Toll Bar.

The Challenge Cup always kicks up a faint killing and Thatto Heath Crusaders know how to do that and they head to either Royal Air Force or Royal Navy with another side with giant killing prowess Rochdale Mayfield face a trip to Wests Warriors or Newsome Panthers.

Round Two

• Orrell St James or Haresfinch v York Acorn 
• Royal Air Force or Royal Navy v Thatto Heath Crusaders 
• Leigh Miners Rangers v South Wales Jets or Stanningley 
• Fryston Warriors or British Army v Hunslet ARLFC 
• Doncaster Toll Bar or Ashton Bears v West Hull 
• Clock Face Miners or Heworth v Siddal 
• Wests Warriors or Newsome Panthers v Rochdale Mayfield 
• Hammersmith Hills Hoists or Medway Dragons v Oulton Raiders or West Bowling 
• Lock Lane v Lowca or Edinburgh Eagles 
• Hull Dockers v Wath Brow Hornets