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Challenge Cup holders Catalans Dragons may not defend their historic title this year after the club refused to pay a £500,000 bond to re-enter the competition.

The measure was put in place by the RFL after a shortfall of around £800,000 in projected income for the 2018 final, when just 50,672 saw the Dragons beat Warrington, the lowest attendance for a Wembley final since 1937.

It led to the withdrawal from the 2019 competition of Toronto Wolfpack late last year, while fellow overseas club Toulouse maintained their 2018 stance of not entering.

(Image: PA)

All three clubs are non-members of the RFL Council and have competed as guests in past years.

The withdrawal of the Dragons would be a major blow to the game’s governing body after their ground-breaking triumph just five months ago.

Catalans chairman Bernard Guasch explained: “The club has been officially advised in December that a £500,000 deposit will be asked by the RFL to play in the Challenge Cup in 2019.

“We, as a club, want to participate to this prestigious competition and defend our title but it would be irresponsible to accept this decision.

“Thus, we have asked the RFL to reconsider its demand and we are now waiting for a decision.

(Image: PA)

“The players would be very frustrated not being able to defend their title and we hope that we’ll have an answer as soon as possible. “

The RFL were under the impression that Catalans had agreed to the terms, which are aimed at protecting the financial position of all member clubs.

A statement from the governing body read: “We have been surprised and disappointed by the uncertainty over the Catalans Dragons participation in the 2019 Challenge Cup, which surfaced just before Christmas.

“We have been in discussions with the club since then, and will continue those discussions to search for a solution.”