Leeds Rhinos prop Brad Singleton will line-up against his younger brother Perry for the first time in his career after the Rhinos were drawn against Workington Town in the fifth round of the Coral Challenge Cup.

Two-time Challenge Cup winner Brad says the clash against Perry’s Workington Town side will be a huge occasion, not just for the Singleton family, but rugby league in his native Cumbria.

He said: “I have been fortunate with the cup draws recently.

"We played Barrow the other year, my hometown club, and now I get the chance to play against my brother.

“It’s the first time I have ever played against him. He is only a year younger than me so we always played in the same team growing up.

"The last time I played with him was in 2009 for Barrow Island in the Barrow District Final against Askam.

“This will be a massive game for the Workington Town fans. I am sure the Town players will show their true potential backed by their vocal support, who, I am sure, will travel in big numbers to Emerald Headingley.

“They are the only Cumbrian team to have played in Super League back in 1996 and it is great for them to get another chance to play against Super League opposition.”

While Brad was spotted as a teenager by the Rhinos, Perry has taken a longer route to the professional game.

Perry joined Workington in 2017 from Barrow Island ARLFC where he forged a reputation as a strong player defensively and offensively in his preferred position of centre. Perry amassed representative honours for England Community Lions Under-18s, the Cumbria County RL team and was selected on overseas tours with BARLA Lions Under-23s.

Brad says a chance to play against Super League opposition is a great opportunity for the Workington players, including Perry, to show what they can do.

He added: “Perry was always one of the better players as a kid, he just didn’t go down the professional route when he was younger.

"He decided to get a trade first and got an apprenticeship at BAE. He did tour the world with BARLA and then Workington approached him when he was 23. He is a tough lad on the pitch, and in my opinion, he has the potential to go all the way.

"I think the standard in the lower leagues is getting better all the time. I went to watch them recently at Doncaster and they were unlucky that day, otherwise they have been going well this season.

“This is their Grand Final and we need to be ready for that. They have a few players who have been at the top level in their career who will be looking use their experience.

“I played alongside [Town skipper] Oliver Wilkes at Wakefield and players like Fuifui Moimoi and Sean Penkywicz are vastly experienced.

“[Coach] Leon Pryce has got them playing some good football and that experience can take them through the tough parts of the game.”

With the brothers going head-to-head, it will be a first for the family as well with divided loyalties.

However, Brad says tickets are already in big demand since the draw on Monday evening.

The Ireland international, who scored at Wembley in the Rhinos’ 2015 Challenge Cup final victory, added: “There will be a fair few coming down for this one.

"My phone has been red hot from the moment the draw was made. It will be a special occasion for the whole family.”

The match will be on Friday, April 12, 7.45pm kick-off.