History will be made this Saturday when Leeds Rhinos face St Helens in the first-ever Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final to be staged at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
This year’s showpiece sees current holders St Helens, coached by former Challenge Cup and Lance Todd Trophy winner Matty Smith, meet the two-time winners Leeds Rhinos, who are led by former Women’s Challenge Cup winner Lois Forsell.
St Helens secured their place in the final thanks to a dramatic late drop goal from halfback Faye Gaskin which secured a 17-16 semi-final victory over a determined York Valkyrie side.
Reflecting on the moment the ball flew over the sticks and put her side within touching distance of Wembley, captain Jodie Cunningham, said: “I think even at that point I didn’t believe it had gone over.
“It was a split second of adulation; I couldn’t believe it – amazing – and then I was like ‘right, we need to calm down we’ve still got a minute left of this game to finish off.
“At the end (I felt) pure relief, joy obviously, but relief more than anything that we’ve managed to get ourselves to Wembley.
Cunningham added: “I would have done absolutely anything to get to Wembley. The team talk ahead of it (the semi-final) was that we were going to have to be brave in that game; we were going to have to front up, it was going to be physical, and it was going to hurt. But we would have done absolutely anything to get to this game.”
Standing in Saints’ way of becoming the first side since Thatto Heath Crusaders – who would later become St Helens Women in 2018 – to win three consecutive Women’s Challenge Cups are Leeds Rhinos.
Two-time winners Leeds are indeed a force to be reckoned with; the Rhinos’ squad is packed with proven top flight talent through the likes of captain Hanna Butcher, England stars Amy Hardcastle and Caitlin Beevers, plus rising stars such as Caitlin Casey and Sophie Robinson.
Saints captain Cunningham expects a tough test from the Rhinos, concluding: “We’ve had some amazing finals against Leeds; every game we’ve ever have against Leeds has always been tight, it always come down to the wire and I’ve got no doubt that’ll be the case when it comes to the final.”
The Rhinos, meanwhile, secured their place at this year’s final following a hard-fought 16-4 semi-final triumph over Wigan Warriors at Headingley, a game in which Beevers - in particular - shone in for Forsell’s side.
Although Leeds did run out winners against the Warriors, captain Hanna Butcher believes the side must show an improvement this coming weekend if they are to lift the trophy.
Butcher told rugby-league.com: “I think it’s going to be a real battle against Saints; we’ve played them once already this season, we know what to expect and, to be honest, I think we’re going to have to up our game from the semi-final. There’s no doubt about that.”
Leeds Rhinos face St Helens in the 2023 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final on Saturday 12 August at Wembley Stadium as part of a triple-header finals day. Tickets are selling fast, with prices starting from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s. Click here to purchase yours now.
Women’s Challenge Cup Final Squads
Leeds Rhinos
- Sophie Robinson
- Caitlin Beevers
- Hanna Butcher
- Sophie Nuttall
- Sam Hulme
- Zoe Hornby
- Dannielle Anderson
- Amy Hardcastle
- Bethan Dainton
- Jasmine Cudjoe
- Beth Lockwood
- Tasha Gaines
- Izzy Northrop
- Elle Frain
- Tara Moxon
- Eloise Hayward
- Jenna Greening
- Caitlin Casey
- Lucy Murray
- Ruby Enright
St Helens
- Rebecca Rotheram
- Luci Mccolm
- Eboni Partington
- Naomi Williams
- Zoe Harris
- Faye Gaskin
- Shona Hoyle
- Tara Jones
- Chantelle Crowl
- Paige Travis
- Emily Rudge
- Jodie Cunningham
- Vicky Whitfield
- Lucie Sams
- Darcy Stott
- Philippa Birchall
- Alyx Bridge
- Katie Mottershead
- Amy Taylor
- Danielle Mcgifford
- Phoebe Hook
