Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers women aim for November rematch - Featherstone Rovers and Wakefield Trinity also face shortened campaign

A much-shortened Betfred Women’s Super League (BWSL) season could kick off in late August or early September.
Leeds Rhinos' Caitlin Beevers takes on the Castleford Tigers defence in last year's Grand Final. Picture by Steve Riding.Leeds Rhinos' Caitlin Beevers takes on the Castleford Tigers defence in last year's Grand Final. Picture by Steve Riding.
Leeds Rhinos' Caitlin Beevers takes on the Castleford Tigers defence in last year's Grand Final. Picture by Steve Riding.

The 10-team competition - which includes champions Leeds Rhinos, last year's league leaders Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Rovers and Wakefield Trinity - was put on hold in March, just two weeks before the opening round of matches.

The Grand Final had been scheduled for Emerald Headingley on October 11, but is now expected to be played the following month.

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The Rugby Football League (RFL) have confirmed they still plan to complete the Coral Women’s Challenge Cup.

Rhinos celebrate their Grand Final success. Picture by Richard Sellers PARhinos celebrate their Grand Final success. Picture by Richard Sellers PA
Rhinos celebrate their Grand Final success. Picture by Richard Sellers PA

Rhinos beat Castleford in the 2018 and 2019 Cup finals, as well as last year's Super League decider.

An RFL statement said: “The initial contingency plan, based on a season suspension of between 12 and 16 weeks, had been shared with the teams in late March, when the 2020 season had been due to start.

“However, that planning has now been updated to provide possible scenarios for shortened seasons beginning in late August or September – depending on the public health situation and Government advice.

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“The scenarios would involve a mini pre-season of three or four weeks and a Grand Final no later than November.

Castleford Tigers' Sinead Peach on England duty. Picture by SWpix.com.Castleford Tigers' Sinead Peach on England duty. Picture by SWpix.com.
Castleford Tigers' Sinead Peach on England duty. Picture by SWpix.com.

“The Coral Women’s Challenge Cup, which had reached the second round stage before the season suspension, also remains in all contingency planning - although the final is now unlikely to be played as part of a triple header with the men’s semi-finals.”

The RFL are keen to avoid any impact on England’s preparations for next year’s home World Cup.

Coach Craig Richards will announce an updated England women’s performance squad on Thursday, alongside the first England women Knights performance squad.

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The Women’s Super League clubs held a virtual meeting with the RFL this week and another update is due next month.

Thomas Brindle, the competition’s general manager, said: “The feasibility of beginning the 2020 season will depend first on the government’s social distancing guidelines and the ability of players to return to training, rather than the behind closed doors arrangements for broadcast sport.

“The current situation is obviously frustrating for everyone who has contributed to the development of BWSL since it was launched in 2016 and to women’s and girls’ rugby league.

“But we have to recognise the priority of public health, while doing all we can to maintain that momentum and we continue to work towards a rescheduled BWSL and also the Championship, League One and Coral Women’s Challenge Cup.

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“The selection of the performance squads this week will also provide a focus for our elite players as they continue to look forward to next year’s World Cup.”

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