Leeds Rhinos’ Luke Gale wary of Robins but happy with home tie in the Coral Challenge Cup

The tie, Rhinos’ first in this year’s competition, is due to be played on the weekend of April 4/5, if rugby league’s shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic is lifted.

The draw went ahead yesterday, despite the sport being suspended at all levels earlier in the day, but plans to stage it in New York had to be abandoned.

Leeds won 52-10 when Hull KR visited Emerald Headingley in Betfred Super League round three last month.

The tie will be the teams’ first meeting in the competition since Rhinos’ 50-0 victory in the 2015 final at Wembley.

Rovers began this year’s Cup campaign in the fifth round after finishing in Super League’s bottom four last season.

They needed a try on the final play of the game, from former Rhinos academy player Nick Rawsthorne, to beat Championship outfit Leigh Centurions 22-19 two days ago.

“The main priority is the home draw,” said Gale who has been filling in as skipper during Stevie Ward’s concussion layoff.

“It is massive to get a home draw, but Hull KR can be a tricky opponent and by no means will we take them lightly.

“It is the first round of the Cup [for Leeds] and regardless of who you get you know it’s a play-off style game.

“They are going to be coming all guns blazing so it’s one we can’t take lightly, but the big thing is it being at home.”

Wakefield Trinity have home advantage in a derby against Betfred Championship side Featherstone Rovers.

“We’ve played them in friendlies at the beginning of the season, but I don’t think there’s been a competitive game against them for a while,” said Trinity coach Chris Chester.

“In that regard it’s a great fixture and we’ve got to be happy we are at home.”

Rovers have a 100 per cent record after four rounds of the Championship.

Trinity looked to be heading for defeat by another Championship side, Bradford Bulls, in a Challenge Cup fifth round tie last weekend until Reece Lyne’s late touchdown secured a 17-14 win.

Chester said: “Bradford came and really gave it to us and were probably unlucky not to get a result.

“We know what to expect from Featherstone, but at least we are at home.”

Castleford Tigers will also face Championship opposition after being drawn away to their dual-registration partner club York City Knights.

Knights have lost all four of their Championship matches so far, but won at London Broncos in the Challenge Cup fourth round before demolishing Rochdale Hornets 70-12 last Sunday.

Top tie of the round is an all-Super League clash between current table-toppers Wigan Warriors and Cup holders Warrington Wolves.

Last year’s runners-up St Helens will visit Salford Red Devils in a re-run of the 2019 Grand Final.

The full draw is: Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves, York City Knights v Castleford Tigers, Widnes Vikings v Catalans Dragons, Wakefield Trinity v Featherstone Rovers, Newcastle Thunder v Toronto Wolfpack, Leeds Rhinos v Hull KR, Salford Red Devils v St Helens, Sheffield Eagles v Hull.