Bristol Sonics will become the city's first side to play in rugby league's showpiece and 112-year-old knock-out competition when they make their Challenge Cup debut against Leeds Metropolitan University on Sunday at Aretians RFC (1.30pm).

The club, who were formed six years ago, enjoyed their best-ever season last year when remaining unbeaten to claim the West Midlands Division title for the second successive season.

The Sonics then progressed through the national play-offs but lost 38-20 to Doncaster-based Thorne Moor-Moorends Marauders in the Grand Final in September.

Bristol are the second team from the West Country ever to play in the Challenge Cup following local rivals Gloucestershire Warriors in 2005.

Chairman Phil Cole said: "Having seen our friends from the Warriors win in 2005, we know just how magical the Challenge Cup can be.

"My first experience of watching Rugby League was seeing the Challenge Cup final on BBC Television in the 1980s. To see a Bristol team take part in such an historic competition is unbelievable."

Being the lowest ranked amateur team in the competition, the Sonics face an uphill battle in the preliminary round tie against a Leeds Met side packed with student internationals.

The visitors can also name a number of players with Super League Academy experience, making them odds-on favourites to claim a comfortable victory and a home first round tie against National Rugby League Conference high-fliers Warrington Wizards.

The Little Stoke-based side, who include Dings fringe players Neil Holder, and brothers Josh and Gareth Lloyd, do not return for pre-season training until April before kicking off their league campaign in May.

But head coach Karl Fearnley said: "It's a great honour to play in the Challenge Cup. I know it means a huge amount to our players.

"We don't normally start our season until May, but the pull of the cup is such that everyone wants to be involved.

"I could have picked two squads of 17 for Sunday. That's how excited our lads are by the prospect of setting out on 'the Road to Wembley'."

Bristol Sonics: J Gross, D Evans, J Pritchard, M Coady, E Nightingale, D Swann (capt), E Tofts, S Lloyd, H Marson, W Rogers, S Barker, R Hadley, N Holder. Subs (from): D Weaver, J Lloyd, G Lloyd, G Hargreaves, M Klijn, K Watkins, T Curtis.

The Challenge Cup trophy will be on show in Aretians clubhouse before and after the Bristol Sonics match.