Kiwis and Kangaroos head for Britain in 2004

Great Britain is to host a Tri-Nations tournament involving Australia and New Zealand in the autumn of 2004. The countries will play each other twice, leading to a final in November. The competition, the first to be played in this form, will start with the Kiwis and the Kangaroos playing each other in Britain, with the hosts joining in when the domestic season is over.

The game's oldest domestic competition gets into full swing today with Super League clubs entering the Challenge Cup at the fourth round stage. Today's programme includes two all-Super League ties, with Castleford going to Wakefield and Warrington hosting Bradford.

Graham Steadman, the Castleford coach, is one of the growing number who believe that the Cup should be later in the season and there is a risk of his side being ambushed by a Wakefield team that looks to have strengthened considerably over the winter.

Bradford will be wary of Warrington, after losing there twice in league games in recent seasons.

This evening, the French club destined for Super League, Union Treiziste Catalane, will be out to show against St Helens that they have improved since the same stage last season, when they were thrashed 72-6 by Wigan.

The amateurs of Wath Brow, who beat Workington in the last round, have another tilt against professional opposition this evening in the shape of Batley.