Castleford's Georgia Roche kicks a vicious grubber through a collection of bodies around the posts, hoping that it'll bounce anywhere. Superb handling from Caitlin Beevers negates the danger for Leeds and she then runs the ball clear too.

Who's going to blink first?

Jodie Cunningham
St Helens and England full-back

Leeds will be relieved with that one. Castleford had an overlap and if the ball had been better I'd have backed Gentles to go over.

That should be the opening try.

Cas work the overlap down the left after battering down the Leeds middle for a couple of phases but that composure just isn't there as Georgia Roche passes to Kelsey Gentles on the wing, but it's out of her reach and into touch.

Leeds can breathe again.

They're under the cosh though, big time.

Image source, PA Media

This is soooooo end to end. Set of six, high kick from Leeds. Set of six, high kick from Cas.

The first points are going to come from an error or from one player being able to keep her calm and cut through the noise of this match.

So much nervous energy out there right now.

Tasha Gaines provides the first bit of excitement for either team and Leeds Rhinos fans will have thought she was in for the opening try, only for Cas full-back Tara Stanley to haul her down one-on-one.

Super, powerful run though from the Leeds forward. Rhinos should've scored on the follow-up but like I've already said, everything's a bit rushed.

Even I'm out of breath.

Seriously. It's exhausting to watch.

Hollie Dodd, 16-years-old, making her Castleford Tigers debut.

You wouldn't know it.

Leeds test her by kicking a real bomb on the last that the teenager looks like she's been catching for decades.

It's all a bit hectic as, 60 seconds later, Cas have given the ball back by kicking it away.

Image source, Rex Features

A knock-on from Leeds after Castleford kicked off gave the Super League leaders a set of six deep in the Rhinos' half. They make a good attempt but it comes to nothing as the kick on the last dribbles through the in-goal and out.

Leeds' turn now as they charge up field.

Cas kick off and this Challenge Cup final is under way!

Castleford: Stanley; Dodd, Owen, Grace, Gentles; Roche, Garner; Field, Peach, Lumley, Renouf, Hoyle, Marshall.

Interchanges: Watts, Higo, Reynolds, Cudjoe.

Leeds: Beevers; Nuttall, Robinson, Kerrigan, Goldthorp; Butcher, Hill; Anderson, Gaines, Johnson, Staveley, Booth, Lacey.

Interchanges: Priim, Bennett, Frain, Oldroyd.

Referee: Cameron Worsley

More from England full-back Jodie Cunningham, who thinks Castleford are favourites to win today's Challenge Cup final:

"Castleford are really good. They've improved a lot on last year. Leeds are really struggling without (injured captain) Lois Forsell, who was a key player in the final last year.

"Leeds are up against it but have proved they can turn over a good side. We (St Helens) went into the semi-final as favourites, but they played really well and turned us over.

"You never know in a final, but Castleford will go in as favourites and it'll be a tough ask for Leeds."

For more on today's final and the growth of the women's game, listen to the latest edition of BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby League podcast.

BBC Sport has launched #ChangeTheGame this summer to showcase female athletes in a way they never have been before.

Through more live women's sport available to watch across the BBC this summer, complemented by our journalism, we are aiming to turn up the volume on women's sport and alter perceptions.

Find out more here.

If not, what can you expect?

St Helens and England full-back Jodie Cunningham told BBC Radio 5 Live's Rugby League podcast: "One thing we maybe lack is that the kicking game isn't quite as good in the women's game, but equally you see a lot more breaks.

"We play on the same size pitch with the same number of players, but naturally women are generally smaller than men so there are bigger gaps on the field, more long-range breaks and passages of play."

Image source, SWPIX.COM

Welcome to the first part of a rugby league triple-header!

Later we'll have live coverage of the two men's Challenge Cup semi-finals, but first it's the women's Challenge Cup final at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Leeds beat Castleford in the 2018 final - will the Tigers get their revenge today?