Rugby League: Goulding faces League inquiry

The Silk Cut Challenge Cup-holders, St Helens, who leapt the biggest hurdle in the way of their retention of the trophy by beating Wigan at the weekend, have been drawn to meet either Huddersfield or Hull in the fifth round.

The two First Division sides, who drew at Huddersfield on Sunday, replay their tie at The Boulevard on Thursday, to avoid a clash with England's football match against Italy.

Saints will again be at home against the winners, but could be without their captain, Bobbie Goulding, for the rest of their Cup run. He will appear before the League's disciplinary committee on Thursday after being sent off for a high tackle on Wigan's Neil Cowie on Saturday. Even the average tariff of a two-match suspension would rule him out until the semi-finals.

The League's executive committee will today study a video recording of the brawl that followed Goulding's tackle, in order to decide whether action should be taken against anyone else.

It is a significant week for Goulding in another way. Saints' directors are to discuss his transfer request today.

Wigan have denied that there have been any developments in Va'aiga Tuigamala's projected departure to Newcastle. Their board, however, is to discuss the pounds 750,000 offer for the player and Newcastle are hoping to make an announcement tomorrow.

The outstanding Cup-tie in the fifth round takes last season's beaten finalist, Bradford Bulls, back to the capital to play London Broncos.

There are other intriguing ties at Salford, where Paris St-Germain are the visitors, and at Warrington, who take on Sheffield Eagles.

SILK CUT CHALLENGE CUP Fifth-round draw: Carlisle v Featherstone; Salford v Paris; St Helens v Huddersfield or Hull; Halifax v Keighley; Wakefield v Oldham; Leeds v Dewsbury; London v Bradford; Warrington v Sheffield. (Ties to be played 22 or 23 February).

SILK CUT PLATE First-round draw: Hunslet v Huddersfield or Hull; Lancashire Lynx v Barrow; Hull KR v Doncaster; Bramley v Rochdale; Leigh v Swinton; Widnes v York; Workington v Dudley Hill; Whitehaven v Batley. (Ties to be played 15 or 16 February).