Roughyeds paired with Lions in Challenge Cup

Oldham RL head coach Scott Naylor

Oldham’s first competitive home game of the 2018 season will be a third round Ladbrokes Challenge Cup clash with Yorkshire amateurs Featherstone Lions at the Vestacare Stadium over the weekend of February 24 and 25.

Last night’s draw paired Roughyeds with a Lions side that produced arguably the best performance of round two when they knocked out Thatto Heath, the pride of St Helens, in a tie that was streamed live on the BBC Sport website and attracted more than 18,000 viewers.

Looking ahead to the first Challenge Cup tie to be played on the Vestacare's new artificial pitch, Oldham head coach Scott Naylor said: "We've always had tough games against amateur sides and this one will be no exception.

"A third-round tie in such a prestigious competition as the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup is the amateurs' big day; a chance to show what they're made of and perhaps enable them to cause an upset.

"They're a good team from a town that's steeped in rugby league and steeped in Challenge Cup history, so we'll prepare for them as we would for any game.

"It will be tough, no doubt about that, and we have to make sure we're ready."