The final of Rugby League’s Reserves competition will take place on Sunday 1 October (KO 12noon), with league leaders Wigan Warriors having home advantage against second-placed St Helens.
And the Academy Grand Final will be played on the weekend of 23/24 September at the home of the qualifying semi-finalist that finished highest on the league ladder in the regular season. In the semi-finals a week earlier, league leaders St Helens will play fourth-placed Hull FC and runner-up Wigan Warriors will entertain fourth-placed Warrington Wolves – leaving open the possibility of St Helens/Wigan derbies in the finals of both the Reserves and Academy competitions.
The return of the Reserve grade in 2022, alongside the Academy Under 18s competition, provides a full pathway for developing players as they transition towards senior Rugby League. Regular season matches in the two competitions are played on alternate weekends so that clubs only field one team beneath first grade on a weekly basis and can better-manage player development.
