Womens Challenge Cup 2026

[StrennyKnight]

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/64469/catalans-dragons-join-betfred-womens-challenge-cup-for-2026--

Can anyone elaborate for me on how this is going to work, and especially regarding York and Barrow in a 'Group'?

I assume these two will basically play just one game to decide who gets a home tie in the QF?

It says QF fixtures will be based on the 'initial draw' - any clues as to what this entails?

Also, I confess, other than a couple of French players we've seen at the Valkyrie, I don't know much about the Catalans Womens team or French Womens Rugby League at club level - what standard is it currently compared to our Womens Super League?

[HolmeKnight]

Salford was supposed to be the other team in York's group but pulled out for obvious reasons.

In the quarter-finals teams finishing first in each group will be drawn at home against second placed teams.

[StrennyKnight]

8 minutes ago, HolmeKnight said:

Salford was supposed to be the other team in York's group but pulled out for obvious reasons.

In the quarter-finals teams finishing first in each group will be drawn at home against second placed teams.

Thanks HK, I wasn't aware that Salford were originally due to take part.

I got the home advantage for the 4 teams finishing top - but have they already determined the QF draw? The release said fixtures 'will be based on the initial draw'

[The Blues Ox]

8 hours ago, HolmeKnight said:

Salford was supposed to be the other team in York's group but pulled out for obvious reasons.

In the quarter-finals teams finishing first in each group will be drawn at home against second placed teams.

What are the reasons for Salford? Nothing has changed for the womens team. If anything they should be in a better position than last season after the RFL decided to let then run a second team.

On a side note Bradford, Hull KR and Sheffield will also be allowed to run second teams which is crazy.

[BroncoFan]

Catalan have got 3 NRLW players in their squad and Lindsay Anfield will have them fired up.

They won’t beat Saints but wouldn’t be surprised to see them give Huddersfield a tough game.

[StrennyKnight]

12 hours ago, BroncoFan said:

Catalan have got 3 NRLW players in their squad and Lindsay Anfield will have them fired up.

They won’t beat Saints but wouldn’t be surprised to see them give Huddersfield a tough game.

Thanks BF.

I have no doubt that Lindsay Anfield will be able to get team performances out of them that are greater than the sum of the individual parts.

The intriguing elements will be the added NRLW experience and athleticism. Even the top 4 Womens Super League teams could struggle to handle individuals with that sort of pace and/or strength.

Will be interesting to see how Catalans go at Saints, definitely.

 

[Richard de la Riviere]

Catalans are hoping to add a couple of English players for the challenge cup 

[the man]

 

Group A	Group B	Group C	Group D
St Helens Catalans Huddersfield	Leeds Rhinos London Broncos Leigh Leopards	Wigan Warriors Cardiff Demons Featherstone Rovers	York Valkyrie Barrow Raiders

 

Group D, will effectively have a bye, meaning both teams would progress to the quarter finals, however, the winning team, would host the home quarter final.

 

The format stays the same as last year:.

 Home & Away Formatting

Fixtures will be based on the order in which teams are drawn. i.e.  

• Game 1 : Team 1 vs. Team 2  
• Game 2 : Team 2 vs. Team 3  
• Game 3 : Team 3 vs. Team 1 

 

Quarter Final 

 Game 1 - Winner Group A v Runner Up Group D

Game 2 - Winner Group B v Runner Up Group C

Game 3 - Winner Group C v Runner Up Group B

Game 4 - Winner Group D v Runner Up Group A

 

Semi-Final

 Winner Game 1 v Winner Game 2

Winner Game 3 v Winner Game 4

 

Fixtures

 

	Group A		Group B		Group C		Group D
	Home	Away	Home	Away	Home	Away	Home	Away
Game 1	St Helens	Catalans	Leeds Rhinos	London Broncos	Wigan Warriors	Cardiff Demons
Game 2	Huddersfield	Catalans	London Broncos	Leigh Leopards	Cardiff Demons	Featherstone Rovers	York Valkyrie	Barrow Raiders
Game 3	Huddersfield	St Helens	Leigh Leopards	Leeds Rhinos	Featherstone Rovers	Wigan Warriors

Edited January 15 by the man