As the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Final draw closer, take a look at the team that the Rhinos will be facing at Wembley on Saturday, St Helens.

Season so far...

The reigning Challenge Cup champions St Helens have blown away this year's competition to put themselves in a strong position to become one of two teams to win three consecutive Cup titles.

Headed up by former Saints player Matty Smith in his first season, Saints haven't missed a beat in 2023. They've put themselves in a position to potentially win all three trophies again (although York's five-point advantage looks to have ended the race for the League Leaders' Shield) and have recorded high scores across a range of opponents, particularly in the Cup.

Their squad remains largely unchanged, despite the interest in England stars following the World Cup. Amy Hardcastle's move to the Rhinos was Saints' only high-profile departure, whilst they brought in Luci McColm and Lucie Sams from Wigan, and more recently Beth Stott from Huddersfield and Georgia Sutherland from Warrington, to complement the growing talent that includes England international Zoe Harris, Paige Travis and last year's Cup Final try scorer Eboni Partington. 

More importantly for Saturday, Smith can rely on his experienced stars, who need no introduction. Jodie Cunningham and Emily Rudge have been big advocates for promoting the game in recent years and are two of the most recognisable names in the Women's game. Faye Gaskin crowned her comeback from injury this season with a pivotal drop goal in the semi-finals and will lead the spine around the field.

This year's Cup competition has been a relatively easy run for the Red Vee, who progressed out of the group stages with three convincing wins over London, Castleford and Warrington. Leah Burke, who will miss the Final through an ACL injury, was a key catalyst in the early rounds as her 11 tries was a particular stand out. A second meeting with the Wolves in the quarter finals saw Saints progress again to meet York Valkyrie in a rematch of the 2021 Cup Final. This time, it was a closer affair as Gaskin's last minute drop goal sent them through to Wembley in the most dramatic of fashions.

Previous Challenge Cup Form

Saints' Cup form was boosted off the back of the Covid pandemic in 2020. They demolished York on their way to completing the Treble in 2021, and then defeated Leeds in last year's Final. Before that though, they only managed to make the semi and quarter-final stages, after being officially launched in 2018.

2022 - Winners (Beat Leeds 18-8 in the Final)

2021 - Winners (Beat York 34-6 in the Final)

2019 - Semi-Finalists (Lost 16-10 to Leeds)

2018 - Quarter Finalists (Lost 30–16 to Castleford)

Squad

Ones to Watch

Jodie Cunningham

Age: 31

Position: Loose Forward

2023 Challenge Cup Stats: 2 apps, 2 tries

Having lifted the Challenge Cup twice before with St Helens, as well as with Thatto Heath during their run of Cup dominance in the early 2010s, Jodie Cunningham knows what it takes to lift silverware on the big occasion. Her club and international record is well documented and despite suffering injury early on in the season, her hopes of a Cup and Grand Final double are truely alive.

Eboni Partington

Age: 20

Position: Wing

2023 Challenge Cup Stats: 5 apps, 3 tries

Last year marked a breakout season for Eboni Partington and in 2023, she is continuing her form as one of the brightest talents in the England pathway. Her two tries against the Rhinos in last year's Final helped Saints to back to back Cups, after she missed out on the 2021 title. This season, she is closing in on try tally from 2022 as she has six in twelve appearances - one try coming in the semi final win over York.

Shona Hoyle

Age: 30

Position: Prop

2023 Challenge Cup Stats: 5 apps, 6 tries

Saints added a wealth of experience when Shona Hoyle made the mid-season move from Huddersfield last year. The prop has Challenge Cup wins with Bradford as part of the Bulls' 2017 Treble winning side, and the Saints, as well as being part of the Castleford side that featured in the 2019 final. This season, she has been one of the club's top try scorers with 11 in all competition and six in the Cup.

Road to Wembley

Group 4, Game 1 - Saints 76 London Broncos 0

Group 4, Game 2 - Saints 106 Castleford Tigers 0

Group 4, Game 3 - Saints 38 Warrington Wolves 4

Quarter Final - Saints 36 Warrington Wolves 0

Semi Final - Saints 17 York Valkyrie 16

Be at the Final

Make sure you're at Wembley to cheer on the Rhinos Women's team in a historic Challenge Cup Final.

Tickets and travel can be purchased in the following ways subject to availability until 3pm on Friday 11th August (subject to change) - 

Online- tickets.therhinos.co.uk

Over the phone- 0371 423 1315 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm - Opening Hours) 

In person at Leeds Rhinos Club Shop- Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm (Opening Hours) 

Please always check opening hours before travelling Opening Hours 

Official Coach Travel will be available for this fixture departing from Headingley Stadium at 5.15am. Those who are wishing to travel on the Official Coach Travel will be given the option at the time of booking of when they would like to depart from Wembley Stadium. This will be either after the Women’s Final or after the Men’s Final and the departure time will be decided by the majority. The coach will not be staying for the AB Sundecks Final.