Round six of The Challenge Cup has given the Batley Bulldogs the opportunity to welcome home former coach Craig Lingard. As the struggling Castleford Tigers look to kick off a successful cup campaign, with a win on the road at the Fox’s Biscuits stadium this Saturday.

The Bulldogs, who have won the competition three times in the cups 128 years, are looking to cause an upset against Super League opposition. The last time the sides met in this competition however in 2014 the Tigers sent any hopes of a Bulldogs upset to bed, as they went on to win 10 – 48 at Mount Pleasant.

This Castleford side, however, is in a much worse state than the one that dismantled Batley 10 years ago. As Lingard’s Tigers are yet to win a game this season, and only being propped up by the London Broncos at the bottom end of the Super League table. They have conceded 122 points in the five rounds they have played so far. Mark Moxon will be hoping to use their home advantage on the slope of Mount Pleasant, to put pressure on the weak defence of Castleford.

Lingard is making his first appearance back at Mount Pleasant, after his departure last season. However, he will be met with great support from Bulldogs fans due to the success throughout his tenure with Batley. Lingard was the first manager to take Batley to the Million Pound game, falling short of being promoted to the Super League, after a loss to the Leigh Leopards in 2022.

But nostalgia aside, it is important for the Tigers to progress in The Challenge Cup as any success in the League looks along way away. But with the cup bringing up shocks and surprises in the past, the Bulldogs will be hoping to match the success they achieved in 2011, where they reached the Quarter finals of the competition.

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Batley Bulldogs vs Castleford Tigers, March 23^rd , 3pm.