Rhinos have 'right ethos' for Wembley final - Hoyle

Shona Hoyle won the Women's Challenge Cup with St Helens against Leeds in 2023

Leeds Rhinos forward Shona Hoyle says she "can't believe" she will have another shot at Wembley glory in the Women's Challenge Cup final on Saturday - less than a year after lifting the trophy there.

England international Hoyle was part of the St Helens side that beat her new club Leeds in the first edition of the showpiece to be held at the national stadium in 2023.

Hoyle scored a try in that final as Saints - who Leeds meet again in this year's decider - won 22-8 to claim a third consecutive Challenge Cup triumph.

The 30-year-old moved to Leeds before the 2024 season, and has scored four tries in four Challenge Cup matches to put Rhinos on the brink of winning the competition for the first time since 2019.

"I'm excited [by the chance] to get a double win at Wembley," Hoyle told BBC Radio Leeds.

"Saints made it really special; they treated us like a full professional team, got the attire, got the best hotel.

"Leeds have done that as well. They've got the right ethos going into a Wembley game."

The presence of Hoyle's parents, who will be watching in "really good seats" with her fiance and son, will heighten the emotion of the occasion for the prop after they were unable to travel for the 2023 final.

"They didn't get a chance last year - my dad was very poorly, he had a heart attack right before it," said Hoyle.

"He's doing well. I'm just like my dad. He was a football and rugby player, a complete player with aggression.

"I want to do it for them as much as other aspects of the game. I know exactly where they are. If I get a try, I'll be looking straight at them."

The match is the first of a triple header on the day, followed by the men's Challenge Cup final between Warrington and Wigan, then the 1895 Cup final.

Leeds and St Helens are almost inseparable at the top of Women's Super League, each having won four of their five matches, with the Rhinos the leaders on points difference.

Saints won their most recent meeting 12-6 at home last month, avenging a 20-16 defeat when Leeds visited them in the play-offs in September.

An England debutant in 2017, Shona Hoyle played in that year’s World Cup and was ever present in the 2021 edition

"You've got to have a game plan going into a game against Saints," said Hoyle.

"You've got to have a structure, you've got to have your spine on top form. I want it badly and the girls want it as well.

"I can't believe I've got this opportunity again. We've worked very hard throughout the season to get in this position."

Hoyle highlighted captain and prop Kaiya Glynn and half-back Caitlin Casey as key members of that Leeds spine.

"CC is 19 years old and she's played in two Wembley games - how amazing," added Hoyle, who also won the Challenge Cup in 2017 with Bradford Bulls, before the final was held at Wembley.

"Everyone's so excited. I'm very fortunate for the successful Challenge Cups I've had. Whoever plays the best rugby on the day wins."