THE Women’s Challenge Cup will involve French, and NRLW, flair this year after confirmation that Catalans Dragons will enter the competition for the first time.
The Dragons, who are the reigning French champions, have been drawn in Group A with four-time winners St Helens and an ever-improving Huddersfield Giants, and will travel to the UK to take part in both fixtures.
No matter how hard they will find their first foray in the competition, former York Valkyrie coach Lindsay Anfield, who is currently running some sessions with the Dragons, knows that the current inclusion of three NRLW players will give them a boost going into the games, as well as the domestic season ahead.
New Zealand Warriors pair Tyra Wetere and Felila Kia, alongside new Eels halfback Jayde Herdegen are currently spending tie with the Dragons ahead of the NRLW pre-season getting underway in May.
“We’d like to add a buzz to the competition,” said Anfield.
“Catalans are really trying to push the team on this season, they’re going to be playing at the main stadium this year and we have some NRLW girls over. Being part of the Challenge Cup is also part of that plan.
“The NRL girls will be able to play in the group games, and then the quarter-final, should we progress that far, before going home, so that will be great for us.
“Having them with the side has been great. They are fully immersed in the team and are all really humble girls, who have wanted to come over here and leave something behind. They have already been taking the Catalans girls out to do extras with them and just talking to them about the game. So it’s been equally good for the French girls to have those three here to learn from.”
As well as Catalans, the eight Super League teams have been joined in the competition by London Broncos and Cardiff Demons, both of whom impressed in the Championship last season.
The 11 teams have been split into three groups of three with York Valkyrie and Barrow Raiders making up a two-team group D after Salford withdrew from the competition.
Once again last season’s winners Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Leeds Rhinos and York have been seeded and will not face each other in the initial stages.
After three weekends of games, over the first three weekends in April, the top two of each group will progress to the quarter-finals, with the team finishing top earning home advantage in their tie, played on April 25/26.
From then on, games will be played as double headers with games in the men’s competition with the semi-finals and final once again being played as double headers.
The Women’s Challenge Cup Group stage draw in full is:
Group A: St Helens, Catalans, Huddersfield
Group B: Leeds Rhinos, London Broncos, Leigh Leopards
Group C: Wigan Warriors, Cardiff Demons, Featherstone Rovers
Group D: York Valkyrie, Barrow Raiders