29th June 2022
By Dan Hawkhead
After their epic win over St Helens last Thursday night, Leeds Rhinos Women are aiming to close to the gap on the top of the table as they travel to Robin Park to face Wigan Warriors Women on Sunday, kick off 2pm.
Lois Forsell’s side were involved in one of the games of the season last week when they overcame St Helens in a thrilling 20-18 win, thanks to a late try by England international Fran Goldthorp. Watch the highlights below:
The result saw Leeds retain second place in the league table with a game in hand on the league leaders York City Knights, whilst for Wigan, who were nilled by York last weekend, they currently sit in fourth place.
A strong Challenge Cup campaign to start the year saw Kris Ratcliffe’s side finish second in group three before they were defeated 12-10 by Featherstone Rovers in the quarter finals. So far in Super League, they’ve only recorded 30 points in three matches, with both St Helens and York City Knights keeping the cherry and whites scoreless.
Their sole win came against bottom of the league Huddersfield Giants as England international Rebecca Greenfield recorded two tries in a 30-18 result. Anna Davies, Emma Dwyer and Beth Hayes were among the try scorers too while Georgia Wilson recorded a try and two goals.
Previous matches between Sunday’s opponents come out in favor of Leeds, who have a five wins to Wigan’s two. The Rhinos are currently on a four match winning streak against the Warriors, which includes two convincing wins last year. Wigan have never beaten the Rhinos on home soil in the league and their last win over Leeds came in the Grand Final four years ago.
Ones to watch
Georgia Wilson
Recently involved in Craig Richards’ England Women’s squad, Georgia Wilson is one of Wigan’s main threats.
Wilson was a try scorer when the two sides clashed in the 2018 Grand Final and she finished last season with a personal points tally of 88 points (13 tries and 18 goals). In 2022, although it has been a tough start for the cherry and whites, she has been ever-present in the BWSL.
Rebecca Greenfield
Also an England international like Wilson, Rebecca Greenfield was a part of Wigan’s inaugural Women’s team in 2018 and is one of the senior players in Ratcliffe’s side.
With the ability to play either at full back or in the halves, she has only missed the opening league match in 2022 and also recorded two tries in the 30-18 result against the Giants.
Carys Marsh
Formerly of St Helens, hooker Carys Marsh made the change to derby rivals Wigan in 2019 after the Warriors became Grand Final champions.
She made 12 appearances in her first season at the club but made a statement in 20221 as she scored two tries in nine matches.
She is also a Welsh international and scored a try in their recent 60-0 win over Italy in the European Championship.
Did you know?
Leeds’ Courtney Winfield-Hill can extend her scoring tally against Wigan on Sunday. Since the half back debuted against the cherry and whites back in 2018, she has recorded 42 points over seven games against the warriors with four tries and 13 goals.
Player Milestones
Sophie Nuttall
Following her return to action last week, Sophie Nuttall needs ten points to reach 50 points in her Betfred Women’s Super League career.
She was a try scorer against Wigan in the Play Offs last year and will be aiming to be back on the scoresheet in Sunday’s match.
Hannah Butcher
The versatile Hanna Butcher is four points shy of surpassing 100 points for the Rhinos.
As one of the Rhinos’ inaugural squad members and the club’s joint-leading appearance maker, she has accumulated 94 points over four years with 20 tries and seven goals.
Elle Frain
Forward Ellé Frain needs two points to surpass 50 points for the club.
After coming through the club’s Academy setup in 2018, she has recorded 12 tries during her time with the first team, including one in the 2019 Grand Final win over Castleford Tigers.
Tasha Gaines
Another member of the Leeds’ first ever Super League squad Tasha Gaines needs four points to reach her century of Rhinos points.
Both a try scorer and goal kicker, she has scored 13 tries and kicked 22 goals during her four years in blue and amber, including three tries this year.
ticket information
Entry to Sunday’s Women’s Super League clash is priced at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions. If you can’t make it to the game, there will be live updates across the Rhinos Twitter platforms.
