Rhinos vs Saints: Challenge Cup Semi at Doncaster 2026

Key Points

• Leeds Rhinos and St Helens face off in the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday, kick off 1 pm, with a place at Wembley Stadium and the final at stake.
• Both teams advanced with dominant quarter-final wins: Rhinos beat Cardiff Demons 68-0 at AMT Headingley; Saints defeated Barrow Raiders 68-0.
• This marks the sixth meeting in Cup history between the two previous winners; St Helens, eight-time champions, have been Leeds’ nemesis.
• Historical clashes since 2018: Rhinos won the 2019 semi-final; Saints won the 2021 semi-final 20-12 and finals in 2022 (18-8), 2023, and 2024 (collective 42-8 margin).
• St Helens seek to rebound from the 2025 final loss to Wigan Warriors; strong 2026 form with wins over Huddersfield Giants (44-14, three tries by Shona Hoyle) and Catalans Dragons (62-4, three tries each from Leah Burke and Danielle McGifford).
• Saints’ quarter-final scorers vs Barrow: Danielle McGifford (hat-trick), Paige Travis (two tries), Rachael Woosey (two tries), Leah Burke, Shona Hoyle, Katie Mottershead, Luci McColm, Rebecca Rotheram, Vicky Whitfield.
• Saints retain 15 players from last year’s final squad; key returns/recruits: Paige Travis (from NRL, four-time Cup champion), sisters Jadine and Emme McVernon, Mikayla Gillespie.
• Rhinos’ quarter-final dominance noted, but specific player details not provided in reports.

Doncaster (The Leeds Times) May 5, 2026 –

A place at Wembley Stadium and the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup Final hangs in the balance this Sunday as Leeds Rhinos and St Helens collide at Doncaster’s Eco-Power Stadium, with kick-off set for 1pm. Both sides, former winners in the competition, earned their semi-final spots through emphatic quarter-final victories, the Rhinos thrashing Cardiff Demons 68-0 at AMT Headingley while St Helens matched that scoreline in defeating Barrow Raiders.

What is at stake in the Leeds Rhinos vs St Helens semi-final?

The victor will advance to join either Wigan or York in the final later this month at Wembley Stadium. As reported in the official match preview from Rugby Football League sources, this encounter represents the sixth head-to-head in Challenge Cup history between the two clubs. St Helens, the eight-time champions known as the Red Vee, have proven a formidable adversary for Leeds, particularly after handing the Rhinos final defeats in recent years.

How did Leeds Rhinos and St Helens qualify for the semi-finals?

Leeds Rhinos progressed confidently with their 68-0 rout of Cardiff Demons at AMT Headingley, showcasing their attacking prowess. St Helens mirrored this dominance, also scoring 68 points against Barrow Raiders in their quarter-final two weeks ago. The preview details St Helens’ scoring spree, led by Danielle McGifford’s second hat-trick of the season in the second half, supported by two tries each from Paige Travis and Rachael Woosey, plus single tries from Leah Burke, Shona Hoyle, Katie Mottershead, Luci McColm, Rebecca Rotheram, and Vicky Whitfield.

Earlier in the season, St Helens opened with a 44-14 victory over Huddersfield Giants, where Shona Hoyle touched down three times, followed by a 62-4 thrashing of Catalans Dragons. That match featured three tries apiece from Leah Burke and Danielle McGifford as part of a 12-try haul, securing their quarter-final berth.

What is the head-to-head history between Rhinos and Saints in the Challenge Cup?

The clubs have clashed in all but two Cup campaigns since Leeds established their team in 2018 and St Helens took over the Thatto Heath programme in the same year. Their first meeting came in the 2019 semi-final, where Caitlin Beevers’ try in the final moments propelled the Rhinos to their second consecutive final in a closely fought contest.

St Helens exacted revenge in 2021, winning 20-12 en route to claiming the Cup as eventual champions, the first of four straight titles. The following three years saw semi-final or final showdowns at the decisive stage. In 2022 at Elland Road, Derek Hardman’s Saints prevailed 18-8 in a tight match, becoming the second side after Leeds to win back-to-back titles. The competition then moved to Wembley for 2023 and 2024, where Matty Smith’s St Helens dominated with a collective score of 42-8 across both finals.

Why are St Helens considered frontrunners after last year’s defeat?

St Helens enter this semi-final aiming to restore their winning streak following last year’s final loss to Wigan Warriors. The club has positioned itself as a top contender for the 2026 title with a strong season to date. Retaining 15 players from the 2025 final squad provides continuity, bolstered by strategic recruitment.

Paige Travis returns from the NRL, bringing her experience as a four-time Cup champion. The club also welcomed sisters Jadine and Emme McVernon alongside Mikayla Gillespie, enhancing their bid for a first trophy of the year under the Wembley arches.

How have the teams evolved since their last meetings?

Since the Rhinos’ team formation in 2018, these matchups have set a competitive tone. St Helens’ dominance in recent finals underscores their pedigree, yet Leeds’ 2019 semi-final triumph shows their potential to upset. The preview notes the irony of their debut clash at the semi-final stage, highlighting the recurring high stakes.

No specific updates on Leeds Rhinos’ squad changes, or individual performances beyond the quarter-final result appear in the available reports, though their 68-0 win signals form matching St Helens’.

What makes this semi-final a repeat of past rivalries?

This fixture revives a pattern of intense encounters, with St Helens holding the upper hand in most recent outings. The move from domestic venues like Elland Road to Wembley has favoured the Saints, who comfortably won their last two finals there. Now, at a neutral Eco-Power Stadium, both sides eye a return to that prestigious stage.

The preview from Rugby Football League outlets emphasises St Helens’ bid to “bounce back to winning ways,” positioning them as the nemesis to Leeds’ ambitions.

Background of the Development

The Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup has grown significantly since the establishment of professional women’s teams like Leeds Rhinos in 2018. St Helens’ takeover of the Thatto Heath programme that year aligned with expanded competition structures. Semi-finals have frequently featured these clubs, starting with the 2019 clash won by Leeds via Caitlin Beevers’ late try. Subsequent years saw St Helens secure four consecutive titles from 2021, including wins over Leeds in finals at Elland Road (2022) and Wembley (2023-2024). Last year’s final defeat to Wigan marked a shift, but St Helens’ 2026 recruits and retained core maintain their status as eight-time champions.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Fans of Women’s Rugby League

A Leeds Rhinos victory would energise their supporter base, potentially drawing more local Yorkshire fans to Wembley and boosting attendance for the final, while challenging St Helens’ recent dominance. A St Helens win could solidify their frontrunner status, increasing national interest and viewership among UK rugby league enthusiasts, with ripple effects on ticket sales and media coverage for the finale. Neutral fans may see heightened rivalry sustain engagement throughout the season.