ASKAM and Millom will discover the first steps on their route to Challenge Cup glory tomorrow.

The South Cumbrian duo are in the hat for the first-round draw, which will be conducted by former Hull FC captain Gareth Ellis and England assistant coach Paul Wellens.

The Villagers and the Woollybacks are among 48 amateur sides entering the fray at the first hurdle, with matches to be played on the weekend of January 27/28, 2018.

That is long before the start of the National Conference League season, with both Askam and Millom plying their trades in that competition once more next season.

Among the other sides in the draw are fellow Cumbrian outfits Distington, Hensingham, Kells and Wath Brow Hornets, as well as National Conference League Premier Division champions Thatto Heath Crusaders and 2017 Challenge Trophy winners Hunslet Club Parkside.

The Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and the Police all represent the Services, while the University of Hull are the student game’s representatives for the second year running.

Wallsend Eagles, the winners of the North East Men’s League are first-time entrants, alongside London Rugby League champions, Hammersmith Hills Hoists.

Strathmore Silverbacks, champions of Scotland, are joined in the first round by Welsh League winners, Valley Cougars and Irish League winners, Longhorns.

Barrow Raiders will enter the competition at the fourth round stage.

The first-round draw will take place at 7pm at BBC's MediaCity. It will be streamed live on http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-league/42256365

The full list first round draw numbers is as follows.

1. Askam; 2. Batley Boys; 3. Beverley; 4. Bradford Dudley Hill; 5. British Army; 6. British Police; 7. Crosfields; 8. Distington; 9. Drighlington; 10. East Leeds.

11. Featherstone Lions; 12. Hammersmith Hills Hoists; 13. Hensingham; 14. Hindley; 15. Huddersfield Underbank; 16. Hull University; 17. Hunslet Club Parkside; 18. Hunslet Warriors; 19. Kells; 20. Leigh Miners.

21. Lock Lane; 22. London Chargers; 23. Longhorns RL; 24. Loughborough; 25. Milford Marlins; 26. Millom; 27. Myton Warriors; 28. Normanton Knights; 29. Northampton Demons; 30. Orrell St James.

31. Oulton Raiders; 32. Pilkington Recs; 33. Queens; 34. Royal Air Force; 35. Rochdale Mayfield; 36. Royal Navy; 37. Saddleworth Rangers; 38. Shaw Cross; 39. Siddal; 40. Skirlaugh.

41. Strathmore Silverbacks; 42. Valley Cougars; 43. Thatto Heath Crusaders; 44. Thornhill Trojans; 45. Wallsend Eagles; 46. Wath Brow; 47. West Hull; 48. York Acorn.