BWSL: Round 8 Preview

The Brick Community Stadium will host a derby double-header on Friday evening when Wigan Warriors take on St Helens live on Sky Sports (KO 5.30pm). 

Denis Betts’ side will be looking to widen the gap at the top of the Betfred Women’s Super League table when they face fourth placed Saints for the second time this year. 

The current Betfred Challenge Cup holders had to come from behind to end the Warriors unbeaten start to the season in Round 5. 

The Warriors deserved their 8-0 lead late in the first half through Mary Coleman's try and the boot of Emma Knowles. Wigan were seeking a first ever Super League win over Saints and a first victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium and bossed the opening half for long spells. 

However, tries just either side of the break from Luci McColm saw Saints draw level and their pressure eventually told as Vicky Whitfield barged through to complete the turnaround before a Faye Gaskin penalty put the game on ice and a late Beri Salihi double put gloss on the margin of victory. 

After defeat last time out, Leeds Rhinos head on the road for the first of three consecutive away matches as they face Warrington Wolves at Victoria Park on Sunday (KO 12pm). 

Now in a race for League Leaders' Shield, Lois Forsell's side are looking to get back to winning ways against the Wolves, who have lost every league encounter to Leeds since they entered Super League in 2021. Armani Sharrock's Wolves side are also coming into this week's game off the back of a loss and know a win keeps them clear of Huddersfield Giants chasing behind them. 

Warrington come into this weekend's clash with the Rhinos four points off the top four as they lead the chasing pack in fifth place.  

After suffering defeat to the Rhinos in the quarter final stage of the Challenge Cup, the two sides met again at AMT Headingley in the league earlier this season - the Wolves going down to the home side 68-0 with Izzy Northrop scoring a hat trick. 

York Valkyrie thrashed Barrow Raiders last weekend and will host Featherstone Rovers at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday (KO 12pm). 

The two sides met in the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup in April with the Valkyrie easing to a 70-0 victory over Featherstone Rovers at the LNER Community Stadium. 

Eboni Partington, Lacey Owen and Georgie Hetherington all bagged doubles while Liv Wood, Carrie Roberts, Emma Kershaw, Jess Sharp, Tamzin Renouf, Tara Jane Stanley and Rhiannion Marshall also found the whitewash in a 13-try rout. 

Lori Halloran’s Huddersfield Giants ran riot against Warrington Wolves with a 32-10 victory at Victoria Park in Round 7 and host Barrow Raiders on Sunday (KO 2pm) for only the second time – the first in 2019 with Barrow defeating their opponents 44-12 whilst in the Championship. 

Betfred Women's Super League Round 8 fixtures:

Wigan Warriors v St Helens

York Valkyrie v Featherstone Rovers

Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos

Huddersfield Giants v Barrow Raiders

Fans can find all of the relevant information and kick-off times for these Round 8 fixtures here.