The 2025 Betfred Women's Super League season gets underway this weekend as two former Grand Final champions, Leeds Rhinos and St Helens, clash in a blockbusting first round fixture at the Totally Wicked Stadium, live on The Sportsman, kick off 2pm.

The Rhinos' attention shifts to starting their seventh league season on a positive note after defeat in the Challenge Cup semi finals last weekend, whilst St Helens are back on home soil where they beat York Valkyrie for a place in the Cup Final later this year. 

Here's your match preview ahead of the Rhinos' trip to St Helens on Saturday:

Opposition

After coming up short in the 2024 Grand Final against York Valkyrie, St Helens Women hope to shift their success in this year's Betfred Challenge Cup campaign into the league competition as Derek Hardman's side begin their seventh season in the top division.

The departure of Matty Smith as head coach at the end of last season saw the club appoint Hardman and Craig Richards in a joint role to lead the side and already, they have secured a fifth straight appearance in the Cup Final after they saw off the Valkyrie in a 10-6 semi final win on Sunday. Before the weekend's game, Saints had yet to concede a point as they saw off Warrington, Cardiff and London through the Cup group stages and quarter finals by scoring an aggregate score of 234 points. Faye Gaskin's return to the squad, after announcing her intended retirement at the end of 2024, has seen the half back lead the scoring with 30 goals and one try, whilst Amy Hardcastle is the side's leading try scorer with eight so far.

Phoebe Hook has also been impressive on the edge with seven tries, as has Georgia Sutherland who has six tries in her first full season with the Red Vee. Caitlin Casey and Shona Hoyle haven't missed a game since they arrived at the club from Leeds, and they face their former club along with Hardcastle on Saturday.

Following round one, the club head on the road to take on Huddersfield and York in rounds two and three, before they take to the Wembley pitch in the Challenge Cup Final on 7th June.

Form

Leeds wins - Six

Saints wins - Eight

Draws - One

Leeds' Highest Score - Won 34-22 (03/09/2023, A)

Saints' Highest Score - Won 28-0 (10/10/2021, Grand Final)

Last Time Out

Milestones

SOPHIE NUTTALL is one game away from making her 50th Betfred Women's Super League appearance for Leeds.

KEARA BENNETT needs six points to reach 150 total points for Leeds (19 tries and 34 goals).

Round One Fixtures

Wigan Warriors vs York Valkyrie - Friday 16th May

St Helens vs Leeds Rhinos - Saturday 17th May

Warrington Wolves vs Huddersfield Giants - Sunday 18th May

Leigh Leopards vs Barrow Raiders - Sunday 18th May

Ticket Information

Tickets are available to buy now from St Helens via https://www.eticketing.co.uk/s.... Prices are at £5 for adults, £3 for concessions and £2 for juniors and are positioned in the North Stand seats. For fans wanting to watch the Under-19s game beforehand too, the game is included in your match ticket for the Women's Super League game.

Fans unable to attend the game live can keep up to date with the action from the Totally Wicked Stadium by watching on The Sportsman's YouTube channel.