It will be third time lucky if Leeds Rhinos beat St Helens at Wembley on Saturday.

Rhinos lost 18-8 to Saints in the 2022 final at Elland Road and 22-8 when the sides met in the first women’s game at the national stadium last year. Saints also won the competition in 2021, having beaten Rhinos in the final.

Leeds were pipped 12-6 in a Betfred Super League clash at TW Stadium two weeks ago, but will field a stronger side this weekend and coach Lois Forsell believes they have what it takes to end Saints’ Cup dominance. “Saints are a really good outfit and obviously they took the spoils last year,” she noted.

“We played them a couple of weeks ago and were disappointed with how we managed the game, but these are the ones you want to play in. You want it to be tough, which it always is at this stage.

Leeds Rhinos coach Lois Forsell celebrates last month's Challenge Cup semi-final win against Wigan Warriors. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos coach Lois Forsell celebrates last month's Challenge Cup semi-final win against Wigan Warriors. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Leeds Rhinos No 7 Caitlin Casey vows to do Rob Burrow proud in Challenge Cup fin...

“Saints are a great team and they will want to keep their winning streak going, but it is our job to upset that and we are going there to win. We have got to put all our focus on that and then get out there together on Saturday.”

Leeds will be boosted by the return from injury of full-back Ruby Enright and forwards Shona Hoyle and Bethan Dainton. Rhinos are on the back of a 68-0 hammering on Barrow Raiders last weekend and Forsell added; “We were pretty pleased with how the girls travelled in that game and some of the things we put into practice and the performance we put on show.

“The squad is looking really positive. It is going to be a whole team effort; some girls will miss out and there’s some players who are rehabbing long-term injuries - and I know first hand how tough that can be in a week like this. But we have got a really good group who are quite selfless. The successes are about the whole, not just individuals.”

Bethan Dainton, seen being tackled by St Helens' Faye Gaskin, is set to return from a shoulder injury for Leeds Rhinos in Saturday's Challenge Cup final. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Leeds will also be representing club legend Rob Burrow who died last Sunday and will be commemorated with a minute’s silence before and applause during all three club finals. Forsell, who said she “grew up watching Rob” stressed Burrow and his family have been in the squad’s thoughts this week and will be before and after Saturday.

“The fact it is such a big stage to remember Rob on, throughout all the finals being played, is really nice,” she said. “Rob and his family and the MND community will be in our thoughts.

“We will have to switch our focus on to the job we’ve got to do on the day as well and make sure we concentrate on that, but certainly he was a Leeds legend and he will definitely be in our thoughts.”