By Phil Harlow

The next time you hear a manager complaining they don't get enough time with their players, spare a thought for the Army rugby league team's coach.

I think the Army has been a bit of a sleeping giant in recent years British Army player/coach Sean Fanning

The British Army team is comprised of soldiers posted around the world - and that means Sergeant Sean Fanning expects to have less than 48 hours with his charges before they face his home-town team Thatto Heath in the first round of the Challenge Cup on Saturday.

"We've got two guys coming over from Germany, one from Cyprus, one other Northern Ireland and a couple from Wales and Scotland," Fanning, who played professionally for Leigh in the early 1990s, told BBC Sport.

"They should get here on Thursday night and we'll try to train then, as well as on Friday night and Saturday morning. Then we've got the game at 1.30pm!"

The Challenge Cup tie will be the Army's first game of the season, with the broad geographical spread of their players making it impossible for them to play in regular leagues.

"We are in a pretty unique situation and that does make it difficult as a coach," said Fanning, who served with the Medicals Corps in Iraq last year.

"We can't get the same team out on the pitch one game to the next because players might be unavailable for all sorts of reasons.

"When you're coaching any kind of representative team, be it Great Britain or anyone, you have to keep things simple if you don't get much time.

606: DEBATE Send us your thoughts on the first round of the Challenge Cup

"But don't think we're a team that's just thrown together. We try to do it as professionally as we can and the boys have played a fair bit of rugby together over the last few years.

"Fitness isn't usually a problem. Most of the guys keep themselves in pretty good shape with their regular jobs in the Army.

"The standard of the boys is pretty good. We've had four lads play for the Great Britain amateur side and some of the others play a decent standard in the leagues. I think there's even one or two who could push for a place at a pro team."

The Army rugby league side share many of their players with the union set-up, and Fanning is following the example of former rugby league stars like Mike Ford and Shaun Edwards by doubling up as the union side's defence coach.

Fanning is expecting a difficult match at the Army camp in Aldershot against the National Conference Division One side.

"They are likely to send a young side with some players from St Helens academy," he said.

The Army in action against England Lionhearts last year (photo courtesy of Soldier Magazine)

"It will be their 15th game of the season, whereas it will be our first, but they won't know much about us.

"I think the Army has been a bit of a sleeping giant in recent years. We've got a lot of talent but we do suffer, inevitably, because of the operational requirements of our day jobs."

Thatto Heath have the unenviable prospect of a lengthy journey from the north west for the match.

"I must admit I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when I saw the draw," said Thatto Heath chairman Mike Denning.

"A 500-mile round trip will be a challenge in itself but all the lads are up for the game and we know the Army will be ready for us too.

"I just hope all our players remember to set their alarm clocks for our 6am departure!"

This year will be the 10th time the Army has played in the tournament since rugby league was introduced into the Services in 1994.

They will no doubt be looking back to the 2000 campaign - when they reached the fourth round before losing to Rochdale Hornets - for inspiration.

"I'm actually fairly confident about how we can get on this year," said Fanning.

"I'm 38 now and it's probably about time I called it a day. I just fill in where needed. Anywhere in the backs, although I've lost my pace so I'm getting closer and closer to the pack.

"But we've got some really good players and we could cause a few shocks."

Starting on Saturday?

Full Challenge Cup first-round draw (all times GMT):

Saturday:
Askam v West Bowling, 14:30
Bradford Dudley Hill v Dewsbury Celtic, 13:30
British Army v Thatto Heath, 13:30
Castleford Lock Lane v Royal Navy, 13:30
Drighlington v Bank Quay Bulls, 13:30
East Hull v Royal Air Force, 13:30
Eastmoor v Queens, 13:30
Eccles & Salford v Leigh East, 13:30
Ellenbrough Rangers v Saddleworth Rangers, 13:30
Hull Wyke v York Acorn, 13:30
Ince Rose Bridge v Hunslet OB, 13:30
Leigh MR v Halton Simms Cross, 14:30
Mayfield v Crosfields, 13:30
Millom v Milford Marlins, 13:30
Normanton Knights v Edinburgh Eagles, 13:30
Oulton v Oldham St Annes, 14:30
Seaton Rangers v Featherstone Lions, 13:30
Siddal v Egremont Rangers, 13:30
Skirlaugh v Waterhead, 13:30
St Marys v Warrington Wizards, 13:30
Stanningley v Shaw Cross Sharks, 13:30
Thornhill v Leeds Met, 13:30
Wath Brow Hornets v Heworth, 13:30
West Hull v Widnes St Maries, 13:30
Wigan St Patricks v Ovenden, 13:30