The group stages of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend (March 16/17) with 15 teams set to battle it out as they look to book their place at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June.
St Helens made history in August when they became the first women’s team to lift the Challenge Cup trophy at the national stadium and will begin their hunt for a fourth successive title at the Totally Wicked Stadium against reigning WSL South champions London Broncos on Saturday (KO 3pm).
The two sides met for the very first time last season with Saints coming away 76-0 victors during a dominant display which included four tries from Leah Burke and Emily Rudge who is looking to make memories this year:
“The Challenge Cup we won at Wembley Stadium was a dream come true for all of us. To lift the trophy there was just incredible. It felt like it shouldn’t even be real. It was just a pinch me moment and something that I hope we can do again.”
Competition debutants, Sheffield Eagles, have arguably the toughest start with Liam Brown’s side set to host current Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie on Saturday (KO 2pm). The Valkyrie suffered heartbreak against Saints in last year’s Semi-Final and captain Sinead Peach knows just how inspiring the pull of Wembley Stadium can be:
“Women’s Rugby League is going strength to strength at the moment and to have both Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley is amazing for us. You see so many clubs now bringing in the young kids, having the academies, going into schools and that's really got to keep on going. The prospect of playing at Wembley can be really inspiring for them.”
Two-time winners Leeds Rhinos came agonisingly close to winning the cup last year and will begin their campaign on Sunday (KO 12pm) against Women’s Northern Championship side Leigh Leopards – who currently sit top of their domestic league with two wins from two. And Rhinos' Amy Hardcastle knows exactly what the experience of walking out at Wembley means:
"I think it’s great that we got to play at Wembley - not many people can actually say they’ve played at Wembley. You find in all sports that there’s only a select few that get to do that and I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to do that with rugby league - and do it on the same platform as the men and be part of it with the men. I think it’s fantastic."
Likewise, former Saint turned Leeds' new recruit Shona Hoyle shared that her favourite career highlight to date is in fact the experience of the Women's Challenge Cup at Wembley last year:
"My favourite moment was winning and scoring a try at Wembley and I want to do it all again this season in a Leeds badge. My favourite moment was being there at Wembley - it's a feeling you can't even begin to explain."
Elsewhere, Denis Betts will begin his tenure as head coach of Wigan Warriors with a trip to Salford Red Devils (KO 2pm) and Cardiff Demons – who reached the Quarter Finals for the first-time last year - host Barrow Raiders (KO 2pm). In Yorkshire, Huddersfield Giants will welcome Hull KR on Saturday at the John Smith's Stadium for their cup opener, as a part of a double-header with the Men's Super League game (KO 12pm).
This year’s competition will again begin on a round robin basis, with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the Quarter Finals on April 13/14 with those ties pre-drawn in January.
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group Stage Round 1 ties:
Saturday 16/Sunday 17 March
Group One
Sheffield Eagles v York Valkyrie, Olympic Legacy Park
(Featherstone Rovers bye)
Group Two
Cardiff Demons v Barrow Raiders, Cardiff University Sports Fields
Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors, Salford Stadium
Group Three
St Helens v London Broncos, Totally Wicked Stadium
Bradford Bulls v Warrington Wolves, Odsal Stadium
Group Four
Huddersfield Giants v Hull KR, John Smith's Stadium
Leigh Leopards v Leeds Rhinos, Twist Lane
The Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup fixtures can be found here.
The Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Final (KO 11.45am) will once again be part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8 June, alongside the final of the Betfred Men’s Challenge Cup (KO 3pm) and the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final (KO 5.45pm). Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final at 10am. Tickets are available online now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s, with family packages also available.
