Northrop’s dream debut season continues at Wembley this weekend

Izzy Northrop has achieved plenty on and off the field in what has been a whirlwind year so far for the 23-year-old.

As one of nine new players brought into the Rhinos squad by head coach Lois Forsell in pre-season, she is among the first names on the team sheet every week and was selected to represent England Students for a second year running in March. Last month, she also celebrated getting her PGCE from Newcastle University and has a job as a languages teacher line up for the new school year.

For all those achievements, she can be forgiven if she says this week’s trip to Wembley for the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final tops them all.

After the final hooter went at Headingley to end a gruelling semi final against Wigan Warriors a fortnight ago, the forward admitted that the feeling of being a Challenge Cup finalist for the first time took about a week to feel real.

“Even after the game finished and we were all running on the pitch, it took a while for the feeling to fully sink in,” she said. “Wigan turned up so we had to find that extra gear otherwise we were going to sacrifice everything that we had worked towards. We found that determination to make the tackles and be dominant and do our jobs. Now I think that everybody is just ready and excited to be going to Wembley for an exciting Final.”

Two-time winners St Helens, who are a familiar foe to some Leeds players after last year’s duel at Elland Road, provide a tough challenge as Matty Smith continues his first season in charge. Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham are household names after their efforts on the international scene, as well as being part of the Saints side that lifted the Treble in 2021. Faye Gaskin’s drop goal against York has done the rounds across social media after the Red Vee’s one point win.

As she prepares to go up against internationals and proven winners all over the field, Northrop explained just how she approaches going toe to toe with the Saints on the Wembley turf.

“I'm expecting a really tough and physical game but we've worked hard in training to prep. As a forward, I do a lot of game analysis looking at how they run, where they run and what they do with the ball. If you're marking someone like Shona Hoyle, you need to know what she's like and how you're going to take her on.

“It's about making sure that the last ten percent in the contact is on their backs and slowing them down. Saints have some good players that if they get a roll on, they're away.”

Northrop hasn’t featured in a Final of this magnitude before. The Women’s Cup Final is being played alongside the men’s at the same venue for the first time, which shows the strides that the Women’s competition has made in the last decade, and it is an occasion her family is not going to miss.

“My family are really supportive. They come to watch every game when they can and a lot of them are coming so it's going to be a big party bus on the way.

“My dad was ecstatic after the semi final win; the picture of his face on the club’s Instagram is brilliant! You see the expression on his face, he's just in utter disbelief that we've made it and the opportunity that we've got.”

BUY TICKETS 

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.