MATCH PREVIEW
The road to Wembley gets up and running this weekend, as all Championship clubs make their bow in rugby league’s most prestigious cup competition. North Wales Crusaders will start the season against Southern Conference outfit Bedford Tigers, who secured their place in round 2 with a 36-6 victory over Medway Dragons.The winners of the this weekend’s game will face 2023 winners and Super League giants Leigh Leopards in the next round. The Tigers have never reached round 2 of the Challenge Cup before and they had a successful 2025 season in the Southern Conference, winning 9 games out of 15 and reaching the play off semi finals.
North Wales Crusaders head coach Dean Muir said “The Challenge Cup is a historic competition and I’m delighted to be drawn at home in front of our fans. Bedford will be bang at it and cause us some real threats. There an ambitious club with the aim to come into the Championship. We will need to be at our best. We have watched them and have put a plan in place to get the performance we need.The group have some targets which we will judge ourselves on and this will be a good challenge for us to meet head on” We have been hard at it since the Barrow game and we have made some positive steps with our recruitment so the 21 will look different to pre season.”
Players to Watch
North Wales Crusaders
Jordy Gibson (Stand Off)
Jordy had a great start 2026.Mr Consistent….Gibbo is our point of difference and is just good at everything. He has a great kicking game and is a real threat with the ball.
Bedford Tigers
Bailey Thomas (Stand Off)
Offers flair and something different, good on his feet and is not afraid to thro a long pass and scored in the last round against Medway Dragons.
Fans can grab their tickets are a lower rate then matchday prices via the online ticket office, please note this closes Saturday Night.
To purchase tickets please click here: https://platform.justtikit.com/seller/north-wales-crusaders-1qu8