Sunday afternoon marks the start of the 2024 season for Leeds Rhinos Women as Lois Forsell's side begin their Betfred Challenge Cup campaign on the road against Leigh Leopards Women, kick off 12pm.

Having come close to both the Super League trophy and Challenge Cup last season, the Rhinos aim to go one better in 2024 with a host of new arrivals to complement an exciting young squad. 

Shona Hoyle and Grace Field add plenty of experience in the forward pack, whilst Olivia Whitehead, Beth MacMillan and Ella Donnelly also arrived during the off-season and are eying up a debut this weekend as the season begins.

This week's opponents Leigh Leopards have continued their form from last season as the Leopards have already secured back-to-back wins against Oulton Raidettes and Salford Red Devils in the Championship competition. 

In the Challenge Cup last season, the Leopards beat Hull KR and Barrow Raiders to get out of their group as runners-up to York Valkyrie, but the Rhinos produced a convincing quarter-final display to end Leigh's campaign. This time around, they look to make it a closer contest before hosting Huddersfield Giants at home next weekend. They close their group games on the road against Hull KR at the start of April, and then resume Championship action against Sheffield Eagles.

How the Women's Challenge Cup works

Unlike the men's equivalent, the Betfred Women's Challenge Cup has a different structure for teams hoping to walk out at Wembley.

Like last season, the Women's Challenge Cup format begins with group games, in which the Rhinos will play Leigh, Hull KR and Huddersfield Giants in group four. The group winner and runner-up from the four groups proceed through to the quarter finals, where it is a straight knock out through to the Final which will be played at Wembley Stadium on 8th June. 

Take a look at the groups and fixtures for this week's games below:

Group 1

Sheffield Eagles vs York Valkyrie (Saturday 16th, KO 2pm)

(Featherstone Rovers get a bye)

Group 2

Cardiff Demons vs Barrow Raiders Ladies (Saturday 16th, KO 2pm)

Salford Red Devils vs Wigan Warriors (Sunday 17th, KO 2pm)

Group 3

Bradford Bulls vs Warrington Wolves (Saturday 16th, KO 2pm)

St Helens vs London Broncos (Saturday 16th, KO 3pm)

Group 4

Huddersfield Giants vs Hull KR (Saturday 16th, KO 12pm)

Leigh Leopards vs Leeds Rhinos (Sunday 17th, KO 12pm)

Previous Meetings

Leeds and Leigh have met twice before, both coming in the Challenge Cup.

On their way to walking out at Wembley last season, the Rhinos beat the Leopards 54-0 at AMT Headingley in the quarter finals as Izzy Northrop, Tara Moxon and debutant Ruby Enright scored two tries each in the 11 try victory.

Watch the highlights below:

Before that, the Rhinos beat Leigh 92-0 in the group stages of 2022 as the Rhinos walked through to the knock out stages

More information

The match will be played at Leigh Miners Welfare Institute , for fans travelling across, the address is: Leigh Miners Welfare Institute, Kirby Rd, Leigh WN7 4EF.

Entrance is £5 for adults. £3 for fans aged 12-17 and Concessions.  Children under 12 are free.  There is a cafe and bar open on site.