Wembley Stadium plays host to Leeds Rhinos and St Helens on Saturday as both sides meet for the second consecutive year at the national stadium in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final, live on the BBC.

For 15 Rhinos players, they will be aiming for a different outcome against Matty Smith’s Saints having played against the same opposition in the final last year, but for 18-year-old Evie Cousins, this will be her first experience of a major final.

2023 saw Cousins suffer an ankle injury in an Academy match against Huddersfield, forcing her to sit the entire season out and watch on from the Wembley sidelines. After a tough year, the former Guiseley Rangers player is now reaping the rewards for the long nights she put into rehabilitating her injury, scoring two tries on her Rhinos debut against Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup quarter finals. She has earned a regular starting spot in Lois Forsell’s side and is one of the top try scorers with six tries in as many games.

Speaking about how she’s been able to put her injury behind her, she said: “The injury lasted a lot longer than it was meant to, which I think pushed me back in some ways but it also shows my resilience, especially with the performance I put in against Warrington. It has given me a drive that I didn't have before.

“The support from the girls, especially when I was injured and coming back, was amazing. If I wasn't feeling it one week, they'd push me and get me back. Especially being a new young player coming into the team for the first time, I didn't really know anyone but the support they gave me was insane.”

With her injury now in the rearview mirror, Cousins has her focus set on her Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final bow at one of the world’s most iconic stadiums. Coming from a family full of Leeds fans, she said how proud she will be to wear the badge of her childhood club on the biggest stage of the season, saying: “Growing up I've always watched the Cup Final but it's surreal to actually be involved in one. All my family supports Leeds so they’ve all expressed how proud they are. They've been messaging me all week saying they're buying tickets, they're buying shirts. Some of them have bought hospitality tickets and everything, so they're just as buzzing as I am I think!

“They've always supported me, but they've always also been Leeds fans. It's a proud moment to get somewhere and to have it televised and have everyone know about it, so I think this is the pinnacle if I actually do get picked to play at Wembley.”

Rhinos supporters will be joining the Cousins clan in making the trip down the M1 in numbers on Saturday to show support for Lois Forsell’s side. Cousins knows that the Rhinos’ appearance on a national stage is only going to encourage more fans to engage with the game and follow in her footsteps further down the line, even though she is only at the beginning of her journey in the first team.

“We see more and more girls playing and watching the game so it’s important to talk to them and give them words of support and even turn up to a few of the games,” she said. “When I was in that position, it was so inspirational to connect with Women’s players so it’s important for us to appreciate the support that the fans give us, but also support them in return.

“We've got a lot of good players in the Under-19s so for us girls that have just come through the Academy like me, Ruby and Mayzi, we’re showing how the women's game is growing. I also think that the game is getting a wider range of talent coming through the club academies so hopefully Saturday’s game allows more girls to give rugby a try.”

Be at the Final

Tickets and travel for the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final held at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8th June are available to purchase now online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk and over the phone on 0371 423 1315 and from Leeds Rhinos Club Shop from 10am on Monday 20th May (Opening Hours).  

Tickets are on general sale now as fans get three action-packed finals included in their match ticket. The Rhinos take on St Helens in the Women's Challenge Cup Final (KO 11.45am), before Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves go head to head for the Men's Cup Final (KO 3pm). Sheffield Eagles and Wakefield Trinity round off the day in the AB Sundecks 1895 Final, which kicks off at 5.45pm.

For prices and information about parking and official travel, click here.