Dragons Removed From Wheelchair Challenge Cup By Rfl

Two-time defending Wheelchair Challenge Cup winners Catalans Dragons person been removed from nan 2025 title by tourney organisers aft a conflict complete world matches.

The French broadside were group to look Halifax Panthers successful nan quarter-finals adjacent month.

But nan Rugby Football League (RFL) said Catalans' invitation to compete had been withdrawn "in consequence to a refusal by nan French Federation to play immoderate world fixtures against England until adjacent autumn's World Cup".

England and France are nan starring world sides successful nan world rankings, pinch England nan World Cup holders having beaten their French rivals successful Manchester successful 2022.

They person faced each different successful double-headers astatine nan extremity of nan past 2 seasons, but England will beryllium travelling to Australia later this twelvemonth for a four-Test series.

The Dragons, who person England world Seb Bechara successful their ranks, besides won nan French Cup last earlier this month.

They person dominated nan Challenge Cup since their first quality successful 2022, reaching nan last 3 times and winning successful 2023 and 2024.

Their removal from nan tie intends Halifax, who person Bechara's world team-mate Jack Brown backmost successful their ranks aft a spell successful Australia, person a bye into nan past four.