THE Challenge Cup competition has never known anything like it.

Two wins could be enough for some teams to reach this year's final in October at a venue yet to be announced.

Warrington Wolves should have been playing Wigan Warriors today in a delayed sixth-round tie.

But the reworking of the competition, on the back of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Championship and League One clubs - as well as the withdrawal of Toronto Wolfpack for financial reasons - means The Wire were handed a bye in a re-draw.

So while The Wire's first outing in the defence of the cup will be in the quarter-finals against last year's runners-up St Helens on the weekend of September 17-20, four clubs have sixth-round ties to contest.

Wakefield Trinity and Catalans Dragons will play out their tie at the John Smith's Stadium in Huddersfield today, but a new date is awaited for the other fixture between Hull FC and Castleford Tigers which should also have been played in Huddersfield today.

But that got postponed following the outbreak of positive Covid-19 tests at Hull FC last week.

Coral Challenge Cup quarter-final draw:

Warrington Wolves v St Helens

Leeds Rhinos v Hull Kingston Rovers

Castleford Tigers or Hull FC v Wigan Warriors

Catalans Dragons or Wakefield Trinity v Salford Red Devils

With there being no Super League matches scheduled this weekend to allow for the Challenge Cup round, it means Wakefield v Catalans is the only fix this weekend for fans of the European game.

The contest will be live on BBC1 from 2pm, with kick-off set for 2.30pm.

A couple of ex-Wire players could be involved, Joe Westerman for Wakefield and Benjamin Jullien for Les Catalans.

Trinity have already played one game in the cup last March at the then last 32 stage, securing a narrow victory over Championship club Bradford Bulls.

Clearly, much has happened since then.

And now Wakefield coach Chris Chester is expecting a response from his players to their 58-0 Super League rout by Catalans Dragons last week.

Chester admits there was a good deal of soul-searching after their 10-try hammering by the French club at St Helens but believes they can turn it around when they play them at Huddersfield's John Smith's Stadium.

"It soon got put to bed on Monday in training," Chester said.

"The players knew it wasn't acceptable.

"Having said that, there's no better game to play than Catalans again the week after. You learn a lot more from defeats than victories and we learnt hell of a lot last week.

"We've had a bit more prep this week and we're looking forward to getting out there. I expect a response this week."

The Catalans are without full-back Sam Tomkins, man of the match a week ago who has picked up a one-game ban for a trip, but dual-code international Israel Folau is set to return after staying in Perpignan following the birth of his son.

"I thought Sam was exceptional," Chester said. "He is one of the best full-backs in the competition, if not the best, and he caught us off guard.

"Folau is another special player, a real handful, and we've done some work on him. I'd like to think we're a lot better prepared for Catalans than we were this time last week."

Dragons prop Sam Moa is also suspended while centre Samisoni Langi and front rower Julian Bousquet are injured and coach Steve McNamara turns to young Frenchmen Arthur Mourge, Mickael Goudemand, Paul Seguier, Arthur Romano and Lambert Belmas to plug the gaps.

Wakefield have lost both wingers from last week, Liam Kay and Lee Kershaw, and centre Reece Lyne is suspended but full-back Alex Walker returns from injury and Chester will give a debut to winger Innes Senior, who has joined on loan from Huddersfield.

Kay is cup-tied after playing in Toronto's fifth-round win over Huddersfield and, while full-back Tony Gigot remains eligible after failing to get on the pitch at the John Smith's Stadium, he is out with knee and leg injuries.

"We've had confirmation that if Gigot was fit, he would have been able to play because he was an unused substitute," Chester said.

"I find that strange because I've always been led to believe if you are picked in the 17, it counts as an appearance."

Kershaw is facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury but highly-rated winger Tom Johnstone has received some good news from the specialist over his elbow injury.

"He doesn't need an operation so we are looking at another four weeks," said Chester, who played down renewed links between his star winger and a move to the NRL.

"He's happy here at Wakefield Trinity and I know the club will fight tooth and nail to keep him. He's still got another two years left on his current contract."