Defending Champions Wigan Warriors will take on St Helens as they take their fierce rivalry down south on Saturday (30 May) in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
The pair return to the centre stage after meeting in last year’s final when the Warriors walked away victorious on their Wembley debut.
Hoping to turn the tables in her last season with the Saints is Captain, Jodie Cunningham, who last week announced she’ll be retiring from playing Rugby League at the end of the season:
“I don't think it's that much of a shock to many people that this is my last season.
“I've got one last opportunity to write a bit of history in the Challenge Cup Final and hopefully we get to do that, but most important is to just go out there and as a team put a good performance on because last year I don't think we did that.
“Result aside we just didn't perform last year, I think if we get closer to performing at our best then we give ourselves a really good chance and at the very least we walk off proud of ourselves.
“That's what the focus is this week and I just know it'll be personally an emotional one, but full focus is on the team.”
Cunningham has led the Red V since 2019, guiding the club to continued success in the Challenge Cup where they remain the competition’s most successful side with eight titles:
“It's just been a competition that personally and as a team with St Helens we’ve been really successful in.
“In the women's game, we start the season with the full competition of Challenge Cup. We've only played a couple of rounds of Women's Super League so far, so we get a chance to focus on this and really put it as the first target, the first goal of the season.
“We've kept a big group of players together for a long time and we've been successful in this competition.
“I've been so incredibly lucky to captain them and get to go out at the top of Wembley's steps and lift that trophy.
“It'd be a dream come true to do that again this weekend, but we've got a really formidable side in front of us and we know we're going to have to be at our best if that is to happen.”
The Warriors hold all the cards heading into this season after completing the treble and collecting the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup alongside the Betfred Women’s Super League trophy and League Leaders’ Shield in 2025.
Hoping to lead her team in the same direction again is Captain Georgia Wilson as they look to take the first step in retaining all three titles:
“It was a great year for us and we really enjoyed being at Wembley. It was the first time we've been there with the Women’s team.
“It was really, really special, and the girls enjoyed it, but you've got to look at the season now, the squads have changed, we've got new additions as well, and we've got to look at what's in front of us on the day rather than looking back to last year.
“Hopefully we can do that, and both teams will put on a performance.”
As the season’s first opportunity for silverware approaches, both teams will be fighting hard to make sure it's them who grasps the opportunity. And as all Rugby League fans know, a St Helens and Wigan derby is never to be missed:
“You can’t beat the Wigan versus Saints derby, it's very exciting.
“Without it being at Wembley, it's an exciting game, but it's extra special when it’s down at Wembley.”
You can watch 2026 Women's Final on BBC Two on Saturday, with live coverage starting from 11.15am.
Wigan Warriors: Grace Banks, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Ellise Derbyshire, Jenna Foubister, Izzy Rowe, Mary Coleman, Carys Marsh, Mia Atherton, Eva Hunter, Cerys Jones, Megan Williams, Rachel Thompson, Bethan Dainton, Beri Salihi, Kesley Gentles, Remi Wilton, Lucy Sams, Jade Gregory-Haselden, Ruby Hunter, Laureane Biville
St Helens: Rebecca Rotheram, Rachael Woosey, Amy Hardcastle, Leah Burke, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Vicky Whitfield, Katie Mottershead, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham, Paige Travis, Erin Mcdonald, Caitlin Casey, Luci McColm, Alyx Bridge, Hollie Bawden, Mia Drescher, Liv Leach, Dani McGifford, Jadine McVernon
Tickets for 2026 Betfred Challenge Cup Final can be purchased here.
