The Betfred Women's Challenge Cup returns this weekend, but can anyone stop St Helens keeping a hold of the trophy for a fifth successive year?
The group stages of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend (April 5/6) with 12 teams set to battle it out as they look to book their place at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7 June.
St Helens made it four successive Challenge Cup campaigns in a row in 2024 and were victorious for a second year running at Wembley over Leeds Rhinos in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final last June, continuing a historic run with the trophy.
After a strong off-season which has seen Saints re-sign England internationals Shona Hoyle and Amy Hardcastle alongside young talent Caitlin Casey, new head coaches Craig Richards and Derek Hardman will be keen to make it five-in-a-row this year.
The eight-time winners will begin their campaign against fellow Betfred Women’s Super League side Warrington Wolves next Saturday (12 April).
The Wolves have a new look this season with a new coach and captain taking the helm for 2025. Armani Sharrock stepped down at the end of last season and is replaced by her assistant Ged Ginty with former England international Dani Bound now leading the team out on match days following the departure of Katie-May Williams.
They’ll come up against Cardiff Demons on Sunday (6 April) – a team they have never faced before. The Demons have reached the quarter-finals of the competition on their last two times of asking but will be hoping to go one step further this year.
“We’re really excited for it,” admitted Amberley Ruck of Cardiff Demons. “I think we're going into this weekend quite optimistic. We've done well in the Challenge Cup the last couple of years, and we’ve been drawn against a few different teams this year who we’re really looking forward to playing against.”
Two-time winners Leeds Rhinos came agonisingly close to winning the cup last year and will face newly promoted BWSL side Leigh Leopards on Saturday (5 April). The two sides also found themselves facing one another in last season's group stage. The Rhinos scored ten tries that day, but the Leopards had the consolation of a finely executed Toryn Blackwood try in return.
Huddersfield Giants made history last season when they won their first ever game inside the John Smith’s Stadium in the opening round of the Women’s Challenge Cup. This time round they’ll face reigning BWSL champions York Valkyrie – who are still yet reach a Challenge Cup Final despite their domestic success.
The Giants have never beaten Lindsay Anfield’s side, and their new Australian half-back Ellie Willamson is keen to use this weekend to introduce herself to the English game.
“I like to think I'm entertaining and a bit cheeky sometimes – I really want to use my style to lift the profile of the game over here in the UK,” said Willamson.
Amanda Wilkinson’s Barrow Raiders will face her former side Wigan Warriors on Sunday (KO 2pm) – the two met on three occasions in 2024 with the Warriors celebrating a narrow 20-18 win in last year’s group stage.
The Warriors had to come from behind as Barrow built up an 18-6 score-line after 50 minutes of play, but Wigan fought back to score three unanswered tries in the last half an hour of the game. This was paired with an excellent conversion by Isabel Rowe in the 76th minute to see them to a crucial victory.
“2024 was a big year for us and we set the foundation of the squad. Obviously, we're a young team but Denis [Betts] has got a lot of trust in us,” expressed Warriors half-back Isabel Rowe.
“We want to be competitive. We want to get to the finals. We want to perform the best we can. I feel like a Challenge Cup, the Super League Grand Final and the League Leaders’ Shield would be perfect!”
Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Group Stage fixtures:
Group A
Sunday 6 April
Warrington Wolves v Cardiff Demons (KO 2pm, Victoria Park)
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 v York Valkyrie (KO 3pm, Laund Hill)
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 v Barrow Raiders (KO 2pm, Robin Park)
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!
