Sheffield Eagles looking to make a name for themselves in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup

“We know where we want to be in a couple of years, and I think we need to put our name out there” – Capucine Auger of Sheffield Eagles  

Sheffield Eagles are preparing for their second go at the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup having debuted in the competition last season – they begin their 2025 campaign against two-time winners Leeds Rhinos on Saturday (12 April, KO 12.30pm). 

The Eagles women’s team - spearheaded by RFL Roll of Honouree Andrea Dobson MBE - have made rapid progression since forming in 2021 and their captain, Capucine Auger, knows just how tough Saturday’s battle will be:

“It's going to be a tough game, and for us, it really is the Challenge Cup as we are outsiders," admitted the French forward.

“I think even though it could be tough mentally, it helps us prepare for the normal league season. So, we can apply any learnings into our championship games – there’s always room to grow.” 

 

 

Dobson, the record-breaking former England and Great Britain front-row, now works as rugby development officer for the Sheffield Eagles Foundation, playing a leading role in the success story in South Yorkshire and her influence is vital to the Eagles women’s team. 

“We know where we want to be in a couple of years, and I think we need to put our name out there. We have an amazing coach, Andrea Dobson MBE - she's a legend in everything she does. I think with the right support and the right players Sheffield Eagles can get there.” 

Whilst the side didn’t progress out of the group stage last season, they still made their own history during their debut Challenge Cup season. 

“We worked really hard last season. Our first game was against York Valkyrie which was amazing for us - despite the end score (10-76). We actually got the first try of the game that day and I think when you start your first Challenge Cup game at home, and you score first, that is a big achievement.” 

Sheffield have competed in the Championship for the previous two seasons and made a title charge in 2024 with Auger leading her side all the way to the Northern Women’s Championship Final. It wasn’t meant to be however as they lost out 46-6 against Leigh Leopards who eventually went on to win promotion to the Betfred Women’s Super League. 

“We had a really good season in 2024 - we went all the way to the Northern Championship Grand Final against Leigh Leopards. I think that shows that we had a good quality of players that really wanted to push hard for promotion.” 

“We also had a dual partnership with York and one of our girls is now playing with them for 2025 which is a great example of what Sheffield Eagles can do.” 

And for Auger, the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium is the pinnacle of women’s sport. 

“We have to have that prestige as well.

“Women's sport is a challenge and every year you see new players coming through stronger and fitter. The girls work hard, but they're also feminine and they show that you can be a woman and be as strong as you want.

“You can still be that image of beauty and strength all together and to see that happening at Wembley Stadium for the Challenge Cup Final is unbelievable.” 

Sheffield Eagles will host Leeds Rhinos at Olympic Legacy Park on Saturday (12 April, KO 12.30pm) before they travel to face Leigh Leopards on Sunday 20 April (1pm KO.)

 

Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Round 1 results & remaining Group Stage fixtures:

Group A 

Sunday 6 April 

Warrington Wolves 14 Cardiff Demons 42  

Saturday 12 April 

St Helens v Warrington Wolves (KO 3.30pm, Totally Wicked Stadium) 

Saturday 19 April 

Cardiff Demons v St Helens (KO 2.30pm, Cardiff University) 

 

Group B 

Sunday 6 April

Huddersfield Giants 0 York Valkyrie 56 

Sunday 13 April 

York Valkyrie v Featherstone Rovers (KO 12pm, LNER Community Stadium) 

Friday 18 April 

Featherstone Rovers v Huddersfield Giants (KO 8pm, Millenium Stadium)

 

Group C 

Saturday 5 April 

Leeds Rhinos v Leigh Leopards (KO 1pm, AMT Headingley) 

Saturday 12 April

Sheffield Eagles v Leeds Rhinos (12.30pm, Olympic Park Legacy Stadium)

Sunday 20 April

Leigh Leopards v Sheffield Eagles (KO 1pm, Leigh Sports Village)

 

Group D

Sunday 6 April

Wigan Warriors 84 Barrow Raiders 0 

Sunday 13 April

London Broncos v Wigan Warriors (KO 2pm, Chiswick Rugby Club)

Sunday 20 April

Barrow Raiders v London Broncos (KO 12pm, Craven Park) 

 

The Betfred Women's Challenge Cup is part of a Finals Day triple-header at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June, alongside the finals of the Men's 2025 Betfred Challenge Cup Final and AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Final. Plus, there will be the traditional Year 7 Boys’ Champion Schools Final. Tickets are on sale now!