Leeds Rhinos in a ‘better spot’ as Challenge Cup final dreams aired

Leeds Rhinos’ women are in a far better place than they were when their Wembley dreams were shattered a year ago, their coach Lois Forsell says.

Rhinos’ hopes of a third successive appearance at the national stadium were dashed when they suffered a crushing 44-14 defeat by Wigan Warriors in a 2025 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final.

Rhinos are back at the same stage again and face St Helens, last year’s runners-up, at Doncaster on Sunday, in a curtain-raiser to the men’s semi-final between Warrington Wolves and Hull KR.

Rhinos have yet to concede a point in three Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup ties this term, having scored 82 at Leigh Leopards, 72 against London Broncos and 68 in the quarter-final defeat of Cardiff Demons.

Saints are a totally different proposition, but Forsell is confident her side will rise to the occasion.

“Last year we were in a tough spot with injuries in the Challenge Cup semi-final,” she recalled.

“It was more about making sure we got people out there – we had people playing out of position and I don’t feel like we are in that spot this year.

“We are in a much healthier position. We had a lot of young players last year and for a lot of them it was their first full season in Women’s Super League.

“It was the start of Wigan’s dominance and they played well, but we were majorly under-par.

“The girls who were here last year have learned so much from it, they have worked a lot harder in pre-season and they are much better for it, just by maturing a year

“Everyone is in a better spot and we are excited to go.”

Leeds Rhinos star’s controversial charge, inconsistent Hull FC and Challenge Cup predictions – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show

Leeds Rhinos chasing Wembley return

Forsell accepts facing Saints is a major step up in class, but it is the same for this weekend’s opponents.

She admitted: “You could say that, or you could say these are the games we’ve been training to play in.

“We are looking forward to it and it’s no different for anyone else in these semi-finals. It’s a different game for everyone to what they’ve been playing in recent weeks, but the girls are excited and it’s the type of game we want to play in.”

Rhinos won back-to-back Challenge Cups in 2018 and 2019, but lost to Saints at the semi-final stage in 2021 and then in each of the next three finals, including at Wembley in 2023 and 2024.

However, Forsell insists they aren’t Leeds’ bogey team. “Absolutely not,” she said. “Their coach and players would probably say the flip side of it, we have had quite a good record playing away from home against St Helens.

“I think there’s mutual respect. We both know it is two quality teams who will go hammer and tongs for 80 minutes. There’s definitely no score to settle other than we both want to book a spot at Wembley.”