Chairman Chris Caisley is de-lighted to see others taking the pressure as the Bulls bid to reach a third successive Challenge Cup final.

After seeing his side drawn at First Division Rochdale in the fourth round on Sunday week, Caisley commented: "London have been telling the press how they are going to bash everyone, but we will have to see about that.

"On top of that, Wigan are being made favourites and St Helens are also getting a lot of publicity. It is taking the limelight off us, which is good, and also giving us a point to prove.

"After losing at Wembley for the last two years, we want to go back and put the record straight."

Rochdale, coached by former Keighley forward Shane Tupaea, have strengthened considerably during the close season capturing Kiwi half-back Willie Swann from Warrington, and Aussie back-rower Adam Maher from the defunct Hunter Mariners, as well as Tupaea's former Cougars colleagues Steve Hall and Andy Eyres.

Keighley Cougars are guaranteed a big cash boost after being pulled out at home to Wigan. The match was immediately made all-ticket, with a capacity of 8,000.

St Helens - the Bulls' conquerors for the last two years - begin their defence at Feather-stone.

There are two all-Super League clashes, with Huddersfield making the six-mile trip to Halifax, and Leeds and Castleford meeting at Headingley.

The Leeds-Castleford tie is almost certain to be chosen to kick off BBC's coverage on Feb-ruary 14.

All four surviving amateur clubs are rewarded with home ties, although they are likely to stage the matches on professional club's grounds.

Wigan were immediately in-stalled as 6-4 favourites with William Hill to lift the trophy and with it a record prize of £100,000. The Bulls are bracketed as joint second favourites with London at 4-1. Leeds are 8-1.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.