Rhinos Women meet St Helens in Betfred Women's Super League semi finals

After missing out on the League Leaders’ Shield last Sunday, Leeds Rhinos Women have another huge match this Sunday, with a place in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final is on the line.

As part of a special double header at Headingley Stadium on Sunday, Leeds will meet their old foes St Helens in the final game of the semi final double header, kick off 5:15pm. The other clash beforehand kicks off at 3pm and sees the League Leaders’ Shield winners York City Knights take on Wigan Warriors to decide the other Grand Finalist.

Both Leeds and St Helens have been in the hunt for every piece of silverware this season, starting with the Challenge Cup Final at Elland Road, which Saints won 18-8 in a close contest. Both teams were also in the race for the League Leaders’ title too. Eventual winners York came into the final round of fixtures with the upper hand and produced a dominant second half to fend off Leeds’ hopes of their first silverware in 2022. St Helens meanwhile, were hoping for a Leeds win and a big score against Wigan, but the Knights’ victory meant that Derek Hardman’s side couldn’t retain their second trophy of the campaign.

Sunday’s game is the fourth time in all competitions that Leeds and St Helens have clashed this season. Since losing out in the Challenge Cup Final, Leeds took revenge with a last gasp win at the Totally Wicked Stadium – Fran Goldthorp grabbing the winning try – but on the return trip to Leeds at the start of August, the Red Vee proved too tough in a 30-22 result at Headingley.

Ones to Watch

Amy Hardcastle

Team: St Helens

Age: 33

England international centre Amy Hardcastle is a wrecking ball on the edge.

After joining from Bradford Bulls, she was a crucial player when Saints lifted all three trophies last season, finishing the year with 23 tries. She is one of eight players that has started every game this year for Hardman's side and has eleven tries to her name.

Fran Goldthorp

Team: Leeds Rhinos

Age: 19

Full back Goldthorp keeps going from strength to strength and has already shown her game-winning strike power against St Helens this season.

She once again leads the Rhinos in tries scored this season with ten in Super League and 13 in all competitions. Plus she is one of two players that has played in all but one game.

Emily Rudge

Team: St Helens

Age: 31

Emily Rudge will be aiming to retain a second piece of domestic silverware before she leads England into a home World Cup later this season.

The second rower had experience playing against the Rhinos at the semi final stage after starting in the back row in the 2019 semi final.

Zoe Hornby

Team: Leeds Rhinos

Age: 23

Zoe Hornby made a name for herself when she galloped through the Saints defence to score the opening try of this year’s Challenge Cup Final.

Since then, she has recorded nine tries in eleven matches, including eight tries that have been scored in the league.

League Records

Previous Meetings

2022 (H): Rhinos 22 Saints 30 (T: Gaines, Butcher, Akwiwu, Winfield-Hill; G: Winfield-Hill (3))

2022 (A): Saints 18 Rhinos 20 (T: Beevers, Earnshaw-Cudjoe, Goldthorp (2); G: Winfield Hill (2))

2021 (BWSL Grand Final): Rhinos 0 Saints 28

2021 (H): Rhinos 0 Saints 24 (MATCH SUSPENDED)

2019 (WSL SEMI FINAL): Saints 14 Rhinos 18 (T: Booth, Winfield-Hill, Eatock (2); G: Winfield-Hill (1))

2019 (A): Saints 20 Rhinos 20 (T: Beevers (2), Winfield-Hill, Goldthorp; G: Winfield-Hill (2))

2019 (H): Rhinos 12 Saints 30 (T: Winfield-Hill (2), Lacey; G: Winfield-Hill (2))

2018 (H): Rhinos 12 Saints 6 (T: Forsell, Kerrigan; G: Winfield-Hill (2))

2018 (A): Saints 20 Rhinos 14 (T: Butcher, Forsell, S.Hill; G: Winfield-Hill (1))

Milestones

Caitlin Beevers

Outside back Beevers can reach two club milestones on Sunday. She can become the first player to score 50 tries for the club if she crosses twice against Saints, plus she only needs six points to reach 200 points for the Rhinos.

Sophie Robinson

Winger Sophie Robinson is only eight points away from scoring 100 points in the Betfred Women’s Super League. So far this season, she has six tries to her name, including two tries in consecutive games against Wigan and Huddersfield.

Zoe Hornby

Forward Hornby can hit both league and club milestones at Headingley.

In the Betfred Women’s Super League, Hornby is six points away from reaching 50 points, meanwhile for the Rhinos, she is two points away from reaching 50 club points.

Dannielle Anderson

Having returned to action in 2022, Dannielle Anderson can also join Hornby on 50 Rhinos points.

The prop, who was a part of the Rhinos’ inaugural squad in 2018, is six points away from the milestone.

Tickets and More Information

Tickets for Sunday’s double header are on sale now.

Ticket Prices: All tickets only £5 each and 1 ticket will cover both matches.

Wheelchair tickets are available and can be ordered by calling Leeds Rhinos Ticket Office on 0371 423 1315 during opening hours.

Areas Open: Unreserved Seating in the North Stand (excluding Directors Box)

Car Parking: First come, first served parking including disabled blue badge parking, will be available on match day in Car Park F.

How to Buy:

Online: available at tickets.therhinos.co.uk 24/7.

Over the phone: by calling 0371 423 1315 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

In person at Leeds Rhinos Club Shop: Away tickets will be available from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop at Headingley Stadium, Monday to Saturday 10am to 4pm. Please check opening hours at therhinos.co.uk before travelling.