Rugby league's Challenge Cup is back on our screens this weekend and first up is the all Super League encounter between Harlequins and Castleford.

Harlequins have been inconsistent due to injuries, but when they have been able to field a full strength outfit they are well disciplined and have a good spirit.

For the first time they have a really good raft of players who have learned their rugby league in London.

They have a dozen youngsters coming through their academy now and I think home-grown players always bring a better spirit.

Castleford may be staring up from the bottom of the table, but they are the only team to have beaten the mighty pair of Leeds and St Helens this season so it shows they can rise to the occasion.

Of course the past few weeks have been overshadowed by the presence of trialist Dwain Chambers, the athletics drugs cheat.

My view on the situation is that there is no such thing as bad publicity.

When rugby league is being mentioned in every national newspaper and TV outlet then it must be good for the sport. I think his trial period at the club is a gamble worth taking.

On Sunday it's the turn of Salford v Wakefield.

In coach Shaun McRae and scrum-half Robbie Paul, they have two people who know exactly what it takes to win a Challenge Cup.

Paul may be coming to the end of his career, but he's still got the ability to pick up points and spark a move.

Wakefield though have their own star duo in double Challenge Cup winning coach John Kear and inspirational scrum-half Danny Brough.

He is a real livewire and his mastery of the chip and grubber kick could very quickly put Salford on the back foot.

Enjoy the action,

Ray

Ray French will be commentating on BBC TV's coverage of Harlequins v Castleford on Saturday

Ray was talking to Paul Birch

Challenge Cup Fourth Round - Harlequins v Castleford (1715-1930, BBC TWO and BBC Sport website); Post-match forum (1930-2000, BBCi and BBC Sport website).

Challenge Cup Fourth Round - Salford v Wakefield (1715-1930, BBC TWO and BBC Sport website).

Football Focus (1210, BBC ONE/online); Arsenal v Reading commentary (1245, Radio 5 Live/online); Score (1430, BBCi/online); Fulham v Liverpool commentary (1500, Radio 5 Live/online); Middlesbrough v Bolton commentary (1500, Radio 5 Live sports extra/online); SPL: Commentary of every game (1500, BBC Radio Scotland/online); Final Score (1630, BBC ONE/online); Blackburn v Man Utd commentary (1715, Radio 5 Live/online); Stoke City v Bristol City commentary (1720, Radio 5 Live sports extra/online); Match of the Day (2230, BBC ONE/online).

Match of the Day repeat (0735, BBC ONE/online); Aston Villa v Birmingham City commentary (1200, Radio 5 Live/online); Newcastle v Sunderland commentary (1400, Radio 5 Live/online); SPL: Dundee Utd v Hibernian (1400, BBC Radio Scotland/online); Scottish Cup: St Johnstone v Rangers (1500, Radio 5 Live sports extra /online); Man City v Portsmouth commentary (1600, Radio 5 Live/online); Match of the Day 2 (2220, BBC ONE/online).

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Boxing: Joe Calzaghe v Bernard Hopkins (0400-0500 approx, BBC Radio 5 Live/online).

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