BBC to air classic Challenge Cup rugby league action

BBC Sport will broadcast two special rugby league programmes on what would have been Challenge Cup sixth round weekend.

Rugby league has been suspended indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic, so to fill the void for fans this weekend (4-5 April), the corporation will screen highlights of classic Challenge Cup action on Saturday afternoon, followed by a repeat showing of the 2018 documentary looking back at the ‘Legendary Watersplash Final’ of 1968.

First up on Saturday at 1.15pm on BBC One (except for viewers in Wales), Mark Chapman looks back through the BBC Sport archives and picks out five Rugby League Challenge Cup finals that were absolute classics.

This special programme goes back to the dramatic 1978 final between Leeds and St Helens, relives arguably the greatest ever Wembley showcase between Wigan and Hull from 1985 and then looks at the high-scoring to-and-fro final between St Helens and Bradford in 1996.

The 2003 Cardiff final between Bradford and Leeds is next from the video vault, and the programme finishes with a cracker between Hull FC and Warrington from 2016.

As finals go, these five were all packed full of sensational tries and sporting drama.

Then on Sunday afternoon on BBC Two, also at 1.15pm, there is a repeat showing of the acclaimed 2018 documentary – ‘Rugby League’s Legendary Watersplash Final’.

The Challenge Cup final in 1968 between Leeds and Wakefield Trinity produced one of the most dramatic moments ever seen at a major sporting event.

With what looked like the most easiest of kicks to win the Wembley showpiece, Don Fox of Wakefield somehow missed it.

Leeds won 11-10, and so began one of the most talked about and replayed scenes of all time in British sport.

This 45-minute documentary, narrated by BBC rugby league commentator and correspondent Dave Woods, looks back at that amazing match and he speaks to members of both teams, including Don’s legendary brother Neil – who talks about the impact that fateful miss had on Don’s life and career.

Both programmes are part of a variety of sport content across the BBC this weekend, featuring new football programmes, including classic Premier League action on ‘Match of Their Day’, and a special edition of Ski Sunday looking back at the best action and features from the 2020 series.

Full details and broadcast times for the BBC’s rugby league programming over the weekend of 4-5 April can be found below (schedule subject to change).

All programmes will be available to watch live and on-demand via the BBC iPlayer.

For a full overview of all major UK-televised sporting events that have been postponed, cancelled or rescheduled, visit SOTB’s dedicated coronavirus webpage – sotb.in/coronavirus.

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SATURDAY 4th APRIL

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SUNDAY 5th APRIL

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