BWSL: Semi-Finals Preview

Four Betfred Women’s Super League (BWSL) teams will battle it out for a Grand Final place this Sunday (September 22), when St Helens entertain Wigan Warriors (KO 7.30pm) and York Valkyrie travel to Leeds Rhinos (KO 5pm) – both matches live on Sky Sports.

Yorkshire rivals Leeds Rhinos and York Valkyrie face one another at AMT Headingley Stadium in a blockbuster 2023 Grand Final rematch. Tries that day from Tamzin Renouf, Tara-Jane Stanley and Lacey Owen with two goals from Stanley took York to their first ever Super League title, but can they do it again?

The two sides also met in the 2022 Grand Final where Leeds lifted the Super League trophy for a second time after a 12-4 victory. Caitlin Beevers crossed twice with Courtney Winfield-Hill adding two goals, while Sinead Peach scored York’s only try of the game.

This year it’s one win each in the league, with Leeds edging a 16-10 win at the LNER Community Stadium in May, before the Valkyrie gained revenge at Headingley three weeks ago with a 37-6 victory.

Having both won one game against each other over the course of the regular season, the third head-to-head clash between the clubs couldn't come at a more important time as their seasons are both on the line.

St Helens secured the 2024 League Leaders’ Shield and earned a home Semi-Final by topping the table at the end of the regular season and will take on the fourth-placed Wigan Warriors.

There was disappointment at this stage of the season for the Saints last year, but with the Red V in contention to win the treble this year they will be hungry to win on Sunday. The Merseyside club haven’t featured in a Grand Final since the last time they won the treble back in 2021 – could this be the year they return?

The Warriors won their first Women’s Super League Grand Final back in 2018 but have since been overtaken by the likes of St Helens, Leeds and York. This season, however, they’ve been reinvigorated by new head coach Denis Betts and have continued to impress with a young squad full of talent and potential.

Sunday will be the third edition of ‘The Derby’ in 2024 - Saints won the first meeting 22-8 at the Totally Wicked Stadium in May, before following it up with a 12-16 victory at The Brick Community Stadium in July.

Both Betfred Women’s Super League semi-finals will take place live on Sky Sports with Leeds Rhinos v York Valkyrie kicking things off at 5pm before coverage turns to St Helens v Wigan Warriors from 7.30pm. 

The winners from both fixtures will then battle it out for the Super League crown on Sunday 6 October which will be played at home ground of the finalist ranked highest at the end of the regular season, also live on Sky Sports (KO 4.30pm).