After pushing Wigan Warriors for the full 80 minutes in the opening round of the Betfred Women's Super League season, Leeds Rhinos Women return to AMT Headingley this Saturday for their opening home match of the league season against newly-promoted Featherstone Rovers, kick off 2pm.

Lois Forsell's side looks to get their first win of the season secured ahead of the Cup break the following week. Featherstone also has eyes on a first league win of the new season, but face a tough test as they take on a Rhinos side that Rovers haven't beaten in Super League.  

Here's your match preview:

Opposition

Back in the Super League competition after a year in the Championship, Featherstone Rovers and head coach Marie Colley have high aims for their return season back in the top tier of the UK competition.

Despite the men's club folding at the start of the year, Rovers' Women's programme remains one of the Women's competition's original sides. Since competing in the Grand Final in 2017, the club has struggled to reach the same heights as they finished outside of the play off picture in both 2018 and 2019 before missing out on lifting the League Shield as they were defeated 24-22 in the final by Huddersfield. As part of group 2 of the Super League competition in 2022, they were unlucky not to lift the Shield after rallying from a third-place finish - only for Warrington to keep Rovers to just one score in the Final - but 2023 saw the club achieve promotion on points difference as they moved into group one of the league. Relegation to the new Championship competition following a winless 2024 was quickly forgotten about as a 20-10 Grand Final win over London Broncos confirmed Featherstone's place back in the Super League once again.

Now back in Super League, they added new faces Aaliyah Brewster from Hull KR, former Rhino Beth MacMillan, Bradford forward Michaela Magonya and England Community international Kasalaini Gaunavinaka to their ranks from the side that earned promotion in 2025. MacMillan has returned one try in three appearances alongside scores for Chloe Billington, Alyssa Courtney and Danielle Waters so far in the Cup and League competitions, but Featherstone are still looking for their first winning result after Cup losses at the hands of Wigan and Cardiff, before Leigh got the better of Rovers in a 34-8 scoreline to open the league campaign last time out.

This weekend sees them arrive in Leeds without a win against the Rhinos since the sides first met in 2018. Cumulatively over seven fixtures, Rovers have conceded 374 points and scored 46 in games against Leeds but can provide an upset if they topple Lois Forsell's side away from home. Games against Barrow and Saints, Huddersfield and York await in the next month too, by which time the club look to keep themselves in potential range of fourth spot.  

Form & Last Five Meetings

PLAYED: 7

LEEDS WINS: 7

FEATHERSTONE WINS: 0

2024 - Rhinos 52 Featherstone 12

2024 - Featherstone 6 Rhinos 68

2021 - Featherstone 0 Rhinos 72

2019 - Rhinos 52 Featherstone 0

2019 - Featherstone 16 Rhinos 24

Milestones

MEL HOWARD needs eight points to reach 150 Super League points for the Rhinos.

LUCY MURRAY needs 12 points to reach 100 Super League points for the Rhinos.

EBONY STEAD needs 12 points to reach 100 Super League points for the Rhinos.

OLIVIA WHITEHEAD needs two points to reach 100 career points for the Rhinos.

KEARA BENNETT needs two points to reach 150 career points for the Rhinos.

RUBY WALKER needs six points to reach 100 career points for the Rhinos.

Last Outing

This weekend's fixtures

Saturday

Leeds Rhinos vs Featherstone Rovers

Leigh Leopards vs Huddersfield Giants

York Valkyrie vs St Helens

Sunday

Barrow Raiders vs Wigan Warriors

Ticket & Fan Information

GATES OPEN - from 11am

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS

• Tickets can be purchased in advance online at tickets.therhinos.co.uk. Tickets will then be available to download to the RhinosTix App for fans to use on their smartphones to be scanned at the entry gate.

• On matchday, tickets will be available to purchase at the Gate B, St Michaels Lane turnstiles (cash or card payments available. Subject to availability)

TICKET PRICES

Adults (aged 17 and over) - £10

Juniors (aged 16 and under) – FREE Juniors do not require a ticket for this game and access will be given on the day

Leeds Rhinos 2026 Season Members FREE, access will given on the day of the game. Members can show a previous match ticket showing their membership status OR  their membership card for entry

AREAS OPEN

Standing in AMT East Stand Terrace or unreserved seating in North Stand