Rhinos Women open 2022 season with Cup clash

Leeds Rhinos Women begin their 2022 campaign with a trip to face Huddersfield Giants Women at the John Smith’s Stadium tomorrow afternoon in their first group match of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup, kick off 12:15pm.

This year’s Cup competition is different to previous years as all 16 teams have been drawn into four separate groups. The two time Cup winners Leeds are with the Giants, Hull FC and Leigh Miners Rangers and Saturday’s game will be the opening match of the tournament.

The Rhinos’ pre season preparations have gone well and the team had a good outing in their sole warm up match, which saw Forsell’s side beat Warrington Wolves Women 26-0 at Headingley Stadium; Sam Hulme, Zoe Hornby, Shannon Lacey, Tasha Gaines, Orla McCallion and Sophia Williams all scoring the tries.

After a good debut season in the Betfred Women’s Super League, that ended with the club beating Featherstone Rovers to win the Betfred Women’s Shield, the Giants have shown their intent to develop ahead of the 2022 season and they have recruited England international prop Shona Hoyle from Castleford Tigers. James Westerby’s side have also added centre Jessica Courtman, another England international, who was part of the Bradford side that lifted the treble in 2017.

In last year’s Cup competition, the Giants were part of a double header that would dictate the final two quarter final teams. On that occasion, they were beaten 38-12 by Warrington; Bethan Oakes and Amelia Brown scoring both of Huddersfield’s tries.

Team News

Forsell could be set to give debuts to five players tomorrow. Former Castleford Tigers players Georgia Roche, Emma Lumley and Jasmine Earnshaw-Cudjoe are all included in the squad, having impressed during the off season, plus the trio are joined by RAF rugby league forward Alex Barnes, who successfully trialled for the first team this year.

Former Illingworth winger Sophia Williams, who was recruited from a trial this year, is also included in the squad. She becomes the second Leeds player to join the club from Illingworth and was selected for England Students Women's squad this season along with Zoe Hornby and Orla McCallion.

Forward Shannon Lacey could also make her first competitive appearance in two years for the club too. Her last appearance for the Rhinos came in their 18-14 semi final win over St Helens in 2019 but she marked the friendly against Warrington, her first game back in action, with a try in February.

Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett and Chloe Kerrigan, who have all been involved in Craig Richards’ England performance squad last weekend along with Lumley and Roche, and are all available for Saturday’s game, as is last season’s top tryscorer Fran Goldthorp who cross the try line 20 times.

Captain Courtney Winfield-Hill is unavailable this weekend and Forsell is also with out a number of players through injury. Tara Moxon, Dannielle Anderson and Adaoha Akwiwu are all still ruled out with injury, with the trio expected back in the near future. Lucy Murray took a knock in training but is expected back soon and Sophie Nuttall has been given more time to recover from the ankle injury she picked up against Warrington in pre-season.

The team in full is:

1. Caitlin Beevers sponsored by Systech IT Solutions

4. Fran Goldthorp sponsored by PICKUPS SELF STORAGE

6. Georgia Roche sponsored by G. Swailes Painter & Decorator

8 . Aimee Staveley sponsored by Countrywide Fans of Leeds Rhinos Women

9. Keara Bennett – Available to Sponsor

11. Chloe Kerrigan – Available to Sponsor

12. Elle Frain sponsored by Riva Homes

13. Hanna Butcher – Available to Sponsor

14. Shannon Lacey sponsored by West One Solutions

15. Zoe Hornby – Available to Sponsor

16. Orla McCallion – Available to Sponsor

17. Tasha Gaines sponsored by Morform Ltd

18. Samantha Hulme sponsored by Oatein

19. Jasmine Cudjoe sponsored by Harris Creative

20. Emma Lumley sponsored by Movement Performance Coach

21. Ella Johnson – Available to Sponsor

25. Beth Lockwood sponsored by The Resin Mill

26. Alexandra Barnes – Available to Sponsor

29. Sophia Williams – Available to Sponsor

Milestones

Caitlin Beevers and Aimee Staveley are set to make their 50th appearances for the Rhinos Women on Saturday. The duo are the first players in the club’s history to reach the milestone. Beevers is also six points away from scoring 100 points in the Betfred Women’s Super League.

Elle Frain needs six points to reach 50 points for the Rhinos.

Ticket Information

Fans who pre-book can get discounted tickets for £10, but need to buy in advance before 5pm on 11th March. Your ticket also includes the men’s game, which sees Huddersfield take on Castleford Tigers at 3:15pm.

To book CLICK HERE

Pay at the gate prices - Both Women's and Men's games included in the price

Core stand:

Adults- £21

Over65 - £16

Under 17 - £6

Advance Tickets

Pre booking discounted tickets £10 each.

Huddersfield Giants Squad also have 1x season cards to be used.  

Collection from the Community Zone (Gates 1-8, core stand) outside the JSS from 11:00AM till 1200PM on game day.

Buy £10 tickets here until 1700 Friday 11^th March, 2022