A complete overhaul of the Silk Cut Challenge Cup is needed if rugby league's premier knockout competition is to be restored to its former glories, according to Dean Robinson.

The York Wasps coach believes the cup's format has now become outdated as the gulf between Super League, the first division and the amateur clubs widens.

And he believes two competitions - one for Super League and another for first division and amateur clubs - could rejuvinate the cup for both players and fans.

Robinson, who leads his troops into the Challenge Cup fourth round against Cumbrian amateurs Egremont on Sunday, claims both finals could be played at Wembley with the first division game as a curtain raiser.

He said: "It is no longer the cup of dreams. With Super League players being full-time professionals now I think it is time they had their own competition.

"It's great to play them in a one-off match but not if it means you suffer injuries which knock you back for your league campaign.

"Super League should be 16 teams for a start, then they could have their own knockout. The first division and amateur clubs should have their own competition with the finalists of both cups playing at Wembley.

"That would give clubs like York a realistic chance of getting to Wembley."

There are certainly merits to Robinson's suggestion. The Old Trafford double headers in the now defunct end-of-season Premiership, with the lower league final as a curtain raiser to the top game, was a great success.

It would also mean Super League clubs playing at the same intensity from round one, instead of an easy passage to the latter rounds.

And with some traditionally big names in the first division - the likes of Hull Kingston Rovers, Widnes and Featherstone - the 'secondary' competition would have some promotional benefits.

While the Challenge Cup can still produce the occasional shock, with a handful of amateur clubs defeating first and second opposition in recent years, such is the gap between the full-time professionals and the lower clubs that giantkilling acts against Super League sides are increasingly unlikely.

That means the best lower clubs can hope to achieve is a big pay day against a top side, but with a hefty beating usually on the cards, the fans are not likely to turn out in force to boost gate receipts.

And the incredible success of the Grand Final play-offs, introduced for the first time last season, suggests that the Challenge Cup could lose some of its prestige over the coming years.

"It's all about revenue which I believe you could generate in separate competitions," said Robinson.

"I'd even be prepared to give up the right to be at home against the amateur clubs and go for a straight knockout. That would be more appealing to BARLA.

"I think this would be appealing all round. It would be great to have four teams involved in a Wembley spectacular."

Meanwhile, the Wasps have rubbished reports that they have signed Keighley Cougars' utility back Richard Agar.

Two rugby league newspapers this week claimed Agar had followed Keighley team-mate Jamie Benn to Huntington Stadium but Wasps chief executive Jim Race said: "It's absolute rubbish. I don't know where it's come from. We haven't even spoken to the player."

Race's comments were further supported by the fact that Agar was on the bench for Dewsbury Rams in their shock win at Hull Sharks on Sunday.

Former York second row forward Stuart Flowers, who turned down a new contract with the Wasps this season, has signed for first division rivals Doncaster Dragons where he will team up with former Great Britain skipper Garry Schofield.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.