HAVING lost to a student side the last time that they played in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, Bradford Dudley Hill are expecting nothing but a tough time when they travel to Loughborough University in this season's first round on the weekend of January 27-28.

Hill, who have qualified by being promoted into Kingstone Press National Conference League Division One, which gave them the right to choose to enter rugby league's most famous cup, went down 28-24 at home to Leeds Met University at the same stage in 2012-13.

The Bradford club's first-team manager Steve Wright said: "They had a couple of good players, one of whom was Mufaro Mvodudu, who was at Stanley Rangers at the time but has come back into the professional game with Hunslet.

"Also we had a couple of players sent off, including the usual one in Neil Wall!

"We don't know much about Loughborough, but we are expecting a tough game at top-notch facilities, and don't forget that we will be in the throes of our pre-season.

"But we hope to have signed a few players by then, including some old heads in the pack."

Wright added: "The dream is to get through to the third round and test ourselves against a professional club.

"It would be nice if it was Bradford Bulls, and we felt we would have had a slight chance if they hadn't appointed a coach, but now they have appointed John Kear."

Meanwhile, Drighlington must also travel, facing the Royal Air Force, while Shaw Cross Sharks will be at home to Beverley, with Thornhill Trojans visiting East Leeds.

In a first all-London fixture for the Challenge Cup, London Chargers were drawn at home to Hammersmith Hills Hoists.

Scottish champions Strathmore Silverbacks will travel to Cumbria to face Millom.

West Hull will welcome the first Irish side to enter the Cup since 1998 – Longhorns, who have strong links with Queensbury, with the Bradford club having toured there earlier this year.

Conducting the draw was former Hull FC captain and back-to-back Challenge Cup winner Gareth Ellis, and England assistant coach and five-time Challenge Cup winner Paul Wellens.

Ladbrokes Challenge Cup first-round draw: Leigh Miners' Rangers v Myton Warriors, Underbank Rangers v Batley Boys, Kells v British Police, Wallsend Eagles v Pilkington Recs, Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields, Lock Lane v Hindley, Hunslet Club Parkside v Valley Cougars, London Chargers v Hammersmith Hills Hoists, Royal Air Force v Drighlington, Oulton Raiders v Siddal, Millom v Strathmore Silverbacks, Loughborough University v Bradford Dudley Hill, University of Hull v Hensingham, Orrell St James v Northampton Demons, Royal Navy v Normanton Knights, York Acorn v Askam, Saddleworth Rangers v Thatto Heath Crusaders, Shaw Cross Sharks v Beverley, West Hull v Longhorns RL, East Leeds v Thornhill Trojans, Hunslet Warriors v Wath Brow Hornets, Featherstone Lions v Skirlaugh, British Army v Milford Marlins, Distington v Queens. Matches to be played over the weekend of January 27-28.