The first round of the Challenge Cup will see 48 teams battle for a spot in the second round of the competition.

Rochdale Mayfield, of the National Conference League Premier Division, reached the third round last year and are coached by former England international Matt Calland, who twice played for Bradford in the Challenge Cup final.

Crosfields play in the National Conference League Division 2 - two divisions below Mayfield - and are playing in the Challenge Cup for the first time since 2011.

Watch a memorable moment from last year's competition, where a leather chamois was the unlikely star.

The BBC will show games from each round of the Rugby League Challenge Cup live on the BBC Sport website and app and on TV in 2018.

One match will be streamed live on the BBC Sport website for the first five rounds of the competition.

From the sixth round onwards, coverage switches to BBC One and BBC Two every weekend up to and including the final at Wembley on 25 August.

Our coverage begins today as Rochdale Mayfield face Crosfields from Mayfield Sports Centre.

Rochdale Mayfield, of the National Conference League Premier Division, reached the third round last year.

Warrington-based Crosfields play in the National Conference League Division 2 and are playing in the Challenge Cup for the first time since 2011.

Saturday, 27 January

Rochdale Mayfield v Crosfields

14:00-16:00, Connected TV and online

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 Hull who defeated Wigan 18–14 to retain the trophy they won at Wembley the previous year.

Despite losing last year’s final, Wigan are the most successful club in the history of the competition, winning the cup a record 19 times.

Image source, SW Pix

Fancy giving rugby league a go yourself?

There are so many different versions of the sport, so there is something to suit everyone, regardless of your age, gender or ability.

Visit our Get Inspired Activity Guide to find out how you can get started and our Activity Finder to get into rugby league near you.