YORK City Knights were today hoping to finally confirm the details for their Tetley’s Challenge Cup fifth round tie at Catalans Dragons.

The game was initially set to be played on Saturday, May 11, and the the clubs had been in discussions over a kick off time.

One difficulty is that the final of the Lord Derby Cup – the premier domestic French cup competition – takes place in Carcassonne that same Saturday, kicking off at 6pm.

Dragons chiefs do not want the ties to clash, while giving rugby league fans the chance to watch both games, 70 miles apart.

The Knights suggested a 1pm kick off for their tie. However, the French federation are now pushing for a switch to Sunday.

Under Challenge Cup rules, travel and accommodation for a British club going to France from round five onwards is covered by the Rugby Football League’s central funds.

Gate receipts are still shared equally between the teams, after costs.

The RFL pay for 25 places, and, for the Knights, these will be taken up by 19 players, head coach Gary Thornton, assistant Mick Ramsden, conditioner Jamie Salter, general manager Ian Wilson, a kitman and a physio.

The financial aspect of this tie is slightly different to the situation the Knights faced for the home fourth round game against another French team, Toulouse Olympique.

Toulouse, who play their league rugby in France, were effectively invited into the Challenge Cup as one of two French Elite One representatives, unlike Catalans, who are included as a full-time Super League outfit.

Gate receipts in those ties are not shared, as previously thought. Instead, the home club keep two thirds of the gate and the other one third goes to the RFL, who in turn cover the French team’s travel costs.