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The Rugby Football League has said "fixtures remain in place for the weekend" despite elite football in England being suspended until at least 3 April as a result of the spread of coronavirus.

The RFL added in a statement: "At all times the RFL has followed and is following the government's guidance as requested.

"We will of course monitor the position carefully for any changes and communicate in due course should any update be required."

As well as Super League, several fifth-round Challenge Cup ties are also set to take place this weekend.

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Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Newcastle Thunder

Two-time winners Dewsbury have some pedigree in the competition, having reached the sixth round of the Challenge Cup four times in the last five years. The Rams formed in 1898, compete in the second tier and have done so since 2009.

League 1 side Newcastle Thunder have shorter history having formed in 1999 as Gateshead Thunder. Following a takeover by the owners of rugby union side Newcastle Falcons in 2015, the club was rebranded as Newcastle and moved to Kingston Park. Their best performance in the competition was a quarter-final appearance in 2009, where they were beaten by St Helens.

Both teams will hope to secure victory and progress to the Sixth Round, which marks the entry of eight Super League sides, including the 2019 winners Warrington Wolves – each needing only three wins to secure their place in the final at Wembley, which is currently set to be played on an earlier date of Saturday 18 July.

The Challenge Cup is a knockout rugby league cup competition held annually since 1896, with the exception of 1915–1919 and 1939–1940. It involves amateur, semi-professional and professional clubs.

The teams from the top tier of rugby league, known as the Super League, enter the Cup in the fifth and sixth rounds, with the final of the prestigious competition held at Wembley Stadium.

The current holders of the Challenge Cup are Warrington Wolves who stunned St Helens to win the Challenge Cup for the ninth time.

Wigan Warriors are the most successful club in the history of the competition, winning the cup a record 19 times.

You can catch live coverage of Newcastle Thunder v Dewsbury Rams on the Red Button, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer and on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport website and mobile app - and if you miss any of the action, the entire broadcast will be available for catch-up on the iPlayer.

Sunday 15 March

14:50-17:00, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ iPlayer & ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport website

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