Friday night marks the start of the Betfred Women's Super League season as last year's Grand Finalists Leeds Rhinos take on Huddersfield Giants at AMT Headingley, kick off 5.30pm.

Although it isn't the first meeting between the clubs this season, after Leeds triumphed 54-10 in the Challenge Cup, both sides will be hoping to get their league campaigns off to a winning start.

Preview the clash here...

Opposition

Huddersfield Giants enter their fourth season in the Women's Super League hoping to continue their progression as a club. 

The club first joined the Women's Super League in 2021, having played in the Championship in 2019, and lifted the Super League Shield at the end of season with a dramatic 24-22 win over Featherstone. Although they have finished bottom of the table in 2022 and 2023, Lori Halloran's side entered this season with a host of new signings and two wins under their belt from the group stages of the Women's Challenge Cup. In the Women's Super League though, they have been handed a tough start in the Rhinos and St Helens.

Long-serving captain Bethan Oates, who recently hit 50 games for the club, and free-scoring winger Amelia Brown are two players to watch out for in Lori Halloran's side, as well as former Rhinos quartet Frankie Townend, Sam Hulme, Paige Webster and Ellie Oldroyd who walk out at AMT Headingley against their former club.

Looking at their recent record against the Rhinos, up until last season's result at AMT Headingley, the Giants were winless against Leeds in all competitions. Super League meetings between the two sides in 2022 and the start of 2023 saw Leeds score 222 points in three meetings, before a 20-16 win for the Giants saw them claim their first win against the Rhinos.

Recent Meetings

- Leeds Rhinos 54 Huddersfield Giants 10 - Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Group Stages, 06/04/2024

- Leeds Rhinos 16 Huddersfield Giants 20 - Betfred Women's Super League Round 7, 06/08/2023

- Huddersfield Giants 0 Leeds Rhinos 52 - Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Group Stages, 21/05/2023

- Huddersfield Giants 0 Leeds Rhinos 80 - Betfred Women's Super League, 16/04/2023

- Huddersfield Giants 0 Leeds Rhinos 82 - Betfred Women's Super League Round 6, 31/07/2022

- Leeds Rhinos 60 Huddersfield Giants 4 - Betfred Women's Super League Round 1, 20/05/2022

- Huddersfield Giants 8 Leeds Rhinos 38 - Betfred Women's Challenge Cup Group Stages, 13/03/2022

- Leeds Rhinos 24 Huddersfield Giants 0 - Betfred Women's Super League, Match Cancelled

Milestones

Leeds hooker Keara Bennett is in line to make her 50th appearance for the Rhinos on Friday, after she returned from injury last weekend.

Bennett made her Leeds debut in a 12-4 win over Wigan Warriors in 2019 and went on to appear in both the Challenge Cup Final and Grand Final that season. Following the Covid impacted 2021 season, she featured 14 times during both the 2022 and 2023 seasons and clinched another Grand Final honour in 2022. After a battle with injury during pre-season, she marked her return to action against Warrington in the Challenge Cup with a try.

Fixtures

See the other Betfred Women's Super League fixtures taking place across this weekend:

Wigan Warriors vs Barrow Raiders - Friday 19th April, 5.30pm

Warrington Wolves vs Featherstone Rovers - Sunday 21st April, 12pm

York Valkyrie vs St Helens - Sunday 21st April, 12pm (Live on The Sportsman)

More information

The Rhinos Women's opening Betfred Women's Super League clash with the Giants is part of a double header of action at AMT Headingley for the club's annual Armed Forces Day, alongside the men's Betfred Super League clash against Huddersfield.

The Women's match, which kicks off at 5.30pm, is included in tickets for Friday's match, with prices starting at £25 for adults, £20 for concessions and £13 for juniors, with prices rising by £3 on matchdays. Please note that fans cannot buy tickets for the Women's game only.

To buy tickets go to tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call the ticket office on 0371 423 1315. Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Tickets also available to purchase from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop at AMT Headingley Stadium (CLICK HERE to check opening hours before travelling).