29 Aug 2023

Rhinos and Saints collide in Women's Super League this Sunday

Two rounds remain in the regular season of the Betfred Women's Super League and first up for the Rhinos is St Helens at the Totally Wicked Stadium this Sunday, kick off 1pm.

Now that York Valkyrie have been confirmed as League Leaders for the second consecutive season, both the Rhinos and Saints are confirmed for the post-season semi-finals. Lois Forsell's side have a far superior points difference compared to Wigan and Warrington behind them, but a win this weekend would confirm their spot in the top four and also put themselves in with a chance of catching this week's opponents.

Coming off the back of their defeat at Wembley, they bounced back with a huge 58-10 win at Headingley last time out. Having lost out by four points to Huddersfield before the Challenge Cup Final, Leeds put in a big performance in front of the home crowd; Hanna Butcher led the way with four tries and the returning Keara Bennett added a try and seven goals.

St Helens currently occupy second place in the league table, which would give them a home play off tie. Having claimed a third consecutive Challenge Cup already this season, Matty Smith's side also have their eye on stealing Leeds' Grand Final crown, but more immediately they look to beat Leeds for the first time at home since 2018. In the league only, Saints have drawn once and lost once against Leeds, who memorably won last year's meeting with a late Fran Goldthorp effort.

This season though, the Red Vee secured a 38-18 result at Headingley in May and are currently on a run of back-to-back league wins against Wigan and Huddersfield. Following this weekend's fixture, they have a home clash with Warrington waiting, before a potential rematch with the Rhinos in the semi finals.