The Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup returns this weekend with holders St Helens set to start their campaign on Saturday (12 April, 3.30pm KO) against Warrington Wolves.
Both sides met in last year’s group stage with Saints outscoring Warrington by 11 tries to one to run out 58-6 winners.
Despite a strong defensive start from the Wire, Saints opened the scoring on four minutes after full-back Beri Salihi benefited from a strong Jodie Cunningham break down the middle to score the first of her three tries.
Saturday could see Amy Hardcastle and Shona Hoyle mark their returns to the club by featuring, and the likes of Caitlin Casey, Georgina Holmes and Hollie Bawden if selected would make their official Saints debuts.
Off the back of their convincing win over Leigh Leopards, Leeds Rhinos can book their place in the knockout rounds of the Betfred Challenge Cup when Lois Forsell's side come up against Sheffield Eagles at the Olympic Park Legacy Stadium (KO 12.30pm).
The Rhinos head south for their first away trip of the year knowing that a win takes the side into the quarter finals and a step closer to a third Wembley appearance. A new opponent stands in their way though as the Eagles, who made their debut in the competition last year, take on Leeds for the first time in history.
Last year saw Sheffield debut in the Challenge Cup as they lost out to both York Valkyrie and Featherstone Rovers in the group stages, but a win this weekend or against Leigh on Sunday 20 April could be enough to see the side through to the quarter finals.
Another team who could progress into the next stage of the competition this weekend is York Valkyrie – they host Featherstone Rovers on Sunday (KO 12pm).
The two sides have met each other on nine previous occasions with two of those encounters coming in the Challenge Cup last season. The Valkyrie were successful in both fixtures posting an impressive 70-0 scoreline in the 2024 quarter-finals.
Eboni Partington, Lacey Owen and Georgie Hetherington all bagged doubles while Liv Wood, Carrie Roberts, Emma Kershaw, Jess Sharp, Tamzin Renouf, Tara Jane Stanley and Rhiannion Marshall also found the whitewash in a 13-try rout.
London Broncos will begin their campaign on Sunday against Wigan Warriors (KO 2pm) – a team they have never faced before.
The Broncos are yet to make it out of the group stages of the Challenge Cup and will be hoping to avoid a repeat of their opening game in 2024 when they suffered a 64-0 defeat with Emily Rudge and Phoebe Hook both scored a hat-trick each.
Wigan however got off to a flying start last Sunday, running in 15 tries to thrash Barrow Raiders 84-0 in front of the highest recorded attendance for a Warriors women’s game at Robin Park Arena. Five new signings made their debuts - Emily Veivers, Shaniah Power, Tiana Power, Remi Wilton and Meg Williams but the side are still with out half-back Isabel Rowe who is expected to return in the coming weeks.
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!
