Summary

  • Use the play icon to watch live coverage

  • Leeds Rhinos have won the competition 14 times, St Helens winners on 13 occasions

  • Radio commentary also available for three fixtures

  • Leeds Rhinos v St Helens - BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC Radio Leeds & BBC Radio Merseyside

  • Hull KR v Salford Red Devils - BBC Radio Manchester

  • Wigan Warriors v Sheffield Eagles - BBC Radio Manchester

  • All games kick-off at 20:00 GMT

  1. Who's in action?published at 18:59 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Coached by Rohan Smith, 14-time Challenge Cup champions Leeds Rhinos most recently lifted the silverware in 2020 so have form, although they will have to up their performance from this time last season where they lost at the same stage of the competition in a home draw against Wigan Warriors.

    Smith will be hoping the likes of James Bentley, Sam Lisone and Paul Momirovski returning from injury will see the side put in in better performance than last Friday night, when they lost 8-18 to St Helens in the Super League.

    Visiting side St Helens are also no strangers to Challenge Cup success, having lifted the cup on 13 occasions, with their last victory being in 2021, Saints boss Paul Wellens also having received the Lance Todd trophy for the side during his playing career. Wellens will be hoping his team can cling to the momentum of last Friday night’s victory, even without the likes of Tommy Makinson who was forced to pull out of last weekend's fixture last minute due to a hamstring injury and is looking like he will still be absent tomorrow.

    Media caption,

    St Helens last won the Challenge Cup in 2021, defeating Castleford Tigers 26-12

  2. Leeds boss Smith aware of Challenge Cup 'prestige'published at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    Media caption,

    St Helens come from behind to seal Super League win at Leeds Rhinos

    Leeds Rhinos head coach Rohan Smith is certainly aware of the "prestige and history" of the Challenge Cup going into Friday's huge sixth-round tie with old rivals St Helens.

    The two clubs have enjoyed thrilling encounters in Grand Finals, Challenge Cup finals and numerous semi-finals.

    Smith's own introduction to the competition came when dad Brian was boss of Hull and then Bradford. "I've always followed the Challenge Cup,"

    Smith told BBC Radio Leeds. "I remember going to games when dad coached at Hull in the late 80s. "I understand the prestige and the history, the rollercoaster that it is playing sudden-death."

    His father Brian, one of the great coaches both in Australia with clubs such as St George, Sydney Roosters and Parramatta as well as in the northern hemisphere, took Bradford to the final in 1996 when Rohan was a teenager. The journey through the rounds, and the experience of Wembley week and the day itself all left a lasting impression on the would-be coach. "I went to Wembley when dad was at the Bulls in 1996, and that was a phenomenal experience, in a high-scoring exciting game," Smith added.

    Read more here

  3. How can I watch?published at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    All times are GMT and subject to change

    BBC iPlayer

    Coverage will be live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app. You can also catch up with the action for up to 30 days.

    Friday, 22 March

    Leeds Rhinos v St Helens – 19:50-22:05 - BBC iPlayer, Red Button and BBC Sport website and app.

  4. How to get into rugby leaguepublished at 12:34 Greenwich Mean Time 21 March

    BBC Sport

    Media caption,

    'Rugby stopped me going off the rails'

    Rugby league is a fast and dynamic game, which involves great strength, stamina and skill, and is played through the summer, so no muddy pitches, or cold, wet training nights!

    With so many variations, you don't have to play the full version of the game to be part of it.

    Whatever your age, gender, fitness level or technical ability there is a version of rugby league that will suit you.

    Whether you have played in the past or just have a keen interest in developing talent, coaching opportunities are available through the national rugby associations in England,, external Wales, external, Scotland, external and Northern Ireland., external