Wembley cup final gives women's game incentive

Jodie Cunningham (left) and Caitlin Beevers (second right) have both been to Wembley, but Tara-Jane Stanley (second left) and Grace Banks (right) hope to achieve it in 2024

The decision to hold the men's and women's Challenge Cup finals on the same day at Wembley Stadium from 2023 has given the occasion extra significance.

It has allowed St Helens' Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham to stride up to the Royal Box and lift the cup, like so many male captains have done.

Caitlin Beevers was able to scorch a devastating counter-attack try across the lush green turf for Leeds Rhinos, much like Martin Offiah did for Wigan in 1994.

Tara Jones' score for Saints, the first by a woman at Wembley, again wrote new history for the competition.

And, it also means the four semi-finalists going into this weekend's ties have the chance to dream of walking out under the arch on the most special of Wembley afternoons.

Saints and Valkyrie meet again

For St Helens there is the opportunity to revisit their glories of last season, having beaten the Rhinos to claim the prize.

Getting to Wembley was earned then via a to-the-wire decider against York Valkyrie, settled by half-back Faye Gaskin's golden-point drop-goal.

The Saints will have the same task ahead of them in 2024, as York provide the opposition on Saturday at Doncaster's Eco-Power Stadium (kick-off 11:15 BST - live on BBC iPlayer).

"Semi-finals get more and more intense year on year," Cunningham told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"How big the prize at the other side is seems to get bigger as well. We know how good it is to play at Wembley and we're desperate to get there again."

York can avenge their cup heartache by reaching the final for the first time since 2021, and will aim to add the trophy to last season's Grand Final success.

Their assembled squad of elite talent includes former Women of Steel Tara-Jane Stanley, Lacey Owen and Savannah Andrade.

Having played in previous finals at stadiums such as Bolton and Leigh, versatile forward Rhiannion Marshall would love to add the national stadium to the list.

"I watched the highlights and it just looks great," Marshall told BBC Radio York.

"To get out there and play on that pitch is everything that us at York are wanting, we keep going better every year."

Emerging Wigan hope to spook Leeds

Leeds were the supporting cast of a remarkable encounter with the Saints in 2023, but as with all finals someone had to lose and it was Lois Forsell's side that took it on the chin.

While Beevers' score ensured she would remain on the highlights for years to come, it was another moment of disappointment for Leeds - who also lost the 2022 final to the same opponents.

Getting to the big events has been a regular occurrence for the club, having graced four of the past five Challenge Cup deciders.

Bringing in star quality such as Shona Hoyle has only added to Leeds' potent mix as they prepare for a repeat of last year's semi-final.

"It'd mean everything [to get back again]," Forsell told BBC Radio Leeds. "It's about focusing on each week as it comes.

"We've been good at having players who enjoy performing together and playing together, and that's what we'll be looking at going into this weekend."

Wigan Warriors' emergence has coincided with a talented crop of young talent, such as electric full-back Grace Banks and half-back Emma Knowles, alongside experienced internationals such as Vicky Molyneux and Rachel Thompson.

The appointment of Wigan legend Denis Betts as head coach and investment in infrastructure and personnel is a sign that the Cherry and Whites want to mount the same challenge as the all-conquering men's side have done.

"These big games were new to us last year, the opportunity to play at Wembley was new and exciting and we probably overplayed that a little bit," Thompson told the club website.

"We realise we have to take every game as it comes but we also have to perform, and if we don’t perform we won’t make it to those big stages.

“These aren’t things that we get to do every week so we have got to enjoy it. It’s 80 minutes from Wembley but you have to pack that to the back of your mind and focus on the task in front of us first.”

While development is ongoing in Super League, in terms of helping teams to all reach similar standards, these semi-finals represent the best of the thriving women's game.

The shape of things hopefully to come.