John Kear and Lois Forsell to conduct 2019 Challenge Cup first round draw

Bradford coach John Kear and Leeds women’s captain Lois Forsell will conduct the 2019 Challenge Cup first round draw.

Kear led Sheffield Eagles to one of the biggest shocks in Challenge Cup history when they defeated Wigan Warriors in 1998.

Forsell guided the Rhinos to their women’s Challenge Cup final victory against Castleford Tigers earlier this year.

The draw, which will be held before the second international between England Academy and Australia Schoolboys at Emerald Headingley Stadium, will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website at 5.30pm on Friday, December 14.

52 sides from across the community game will go in to the draw to participate in one of the country’s oldest sporting tournaments with the first round of the 2019 Challenge Cup set to be played over the weekend of January 26 and 27.