12 Aug 2023

Matchday Pack - Women's Challenge Cup Final

It's gameday for Leeds Rhinos Women as they make history as one of the first Women's Rugby League sides to walk out at Wembley in today's Betfred Challenge Cup Final against St Helens, kick off 11.50am.

Ahead of kick off, whether you are cheering the team on in the stands or watching on TV, here is your guide to the two teams...

Squad News Recap

Leeds Rhinos Women

- Lois Forsell has named a number of returnees for this week's trip to Wembley. Challenge Cup winners Caitlin Beevers, Hanna Butcher and Amy Hardcastle, along with Bethan Dainton and Caitlin Casey, all return after last week’s league game against Huddersfield Giants.

- Academy prospect Ruby Enright is also available after leaving the field through injury against Wigan in the semi-finals. She is one of nine players that are yet to feature in the Challenge Cup Final.

- Eight members of the team have won a Challenge Cup before. Hardcastle has lifted the Cup with both Bradford and twice with St Helens during her career, whilst Beevers, Sophie Robinson, Butcher, Sophie Nuttall, Tasha Gaines and Elle Frain were all part of the last Rhinos Cup-winning side in 2019.

- The Rhinos though are without Kaiya Glynn and Keara Bennett, who are serving the second game of their two-match suspension. Bella Sykes is cup tied having played for Giants earlier in the season. Mayzi Carter, Orla McCallion, Elychia Watson, Evie Cousins and Shannon Lacey are all ruled out with injury.

St Helens Women

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Matty Smith has named his 21-woman squad for Saturday's Betfred Women's @TheChallengeCup Final against @LeedsRhinos at @WembleyStadium!https://twitter.com/wembleysta... href="#COYS" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/hashtag/CO... | #HistoryInTheMaking pic.twitter.com/HriAXWZU0S
— St.Helens Women (@saints1890women) August" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/saints1890... 10, 2023

- Ten members of Saints' squad were a part of the club's Cup winning side in 2022. Eboni Partington scored two tries on that day, along with Jodie Cunningham and both are named for this year's Final.

- Shona Hoyle is set to play in yet another Cup Final, having been to the 2018 and 2019 Finals with Castleford before. She was also a member of Bradford's 2017 side that completed the treble of League, Cup and League Leaders' Shield.

- England internationals Emily Rudge, Paige Travis, Zoe Harris, Faye Gaskin, Tara Jones, Vicky Whitfield and Chantelle Crowl are included as some of the squads most experienced stars.

- Leah Burke is Saints' major absentee through an ACL injury suffered earlier in the year.