BWSL: Round 3 Preview

The Betfred Women’s Super League returns tonight (4 June) when Wigan Warriors kick off the action as they host Leigh Leopards.

Denis Betts’ side will return full of confidence after their Betfred Challenge Cup triumph at Wembley Stadium last Saturday.

The Leopards, though, will be eager to halt that momentum as their opponents return to Super League action, with both teams firmly in the hunt for the top of the table.

On Saturday, Featherstone Rovers host Barrow Raiders at Post Office Road with both sides searching for their first win of the 2026 campaign.

This week presents a golden opportunity for one side to kick start their season, securing their first points of the campaign and heading into Round 4 with a vital confidence boost.

Elsewhere, Leeds Rhinos and York Valkyrie go head-to-head in what promises to be another thrilling contest between two familiar rivals.

Sitting third and fourth respectively on two points, the teams meet once again in the BWSL after sharing the spoils in 2025 and each claiming a victory in their previous encounters.

Hoping to help her team get that first win is Canadian native, Petra Woods, who joined the Valkyrie for the 2026 season after playing for her national team, Canada Ravens:

“I started Rugby League in 2016 in preparation for the 2017 [Rugby League] World Cup.

“I came from a Rugby Union background and at the time Canada had been graced with a spot at the upcoming World Cup so a few players in our country tried to learn the rules of Rugby League and switch codes.

“Since then, I’ve been involved with the Canada Ravens which is our National Rugby League team and I’ve been able to attend two World Cups and now I’m here with the York Valkyrie in England.

With the sport still developing in her home country, Woods is excited to experience Rugby League at a high level and improve her game for when she battles with her national side:

“For me, I wanted to have weekly training and games that are very competitive and high level, it’s something that we don’t necessarily have yet in Canada, so the York Valkyrie is doing just that for me.

“I’d love to see some small improvements in my game that I can bring back to the Canada Ravens

“I’m also learning a lot under our new Head Coach Leon Pryce.

“I haven’t worked with him before, but he’s been able to teach us a lot about the vision of the game and help us see the field in a different way.

As she meets the Rhinos for the first time, Woods knows her side are capable of getting the edge:

“I’m looking forward to playing Leeds for the first time, we’ve not seen them yet this season and I think that we’ll be a good challenge for each other.

“I think for us as the Valkyrie, our defence and discipline will be the priority this round so making sure that we’re keeping errors to a minimum and staying in good field territory, that way we can put our best food forward against Leeds and come out with the win.”

The final game of the weekend sees St Helens take on Huddersfield Giants on Sunday.

The Giants got their first win of the season under their belt in Round 2 after a strong display against Leigh Leopards.

This week, they’ll be looking to maintain that momentum as they come up against the Saints who are yet to meet defeat in the competition.

Round 3 Fixtures:

Thursday 4 June

Wigan Warriors v Leigh Leopards (KO 7pm, Edge Hall Road Community Stadium)

Saturday 6 June

Featherstone Rovers v Barrow Raiders (KO 2pm, Post Office Road)

Leeds Rhinos v York Valkyrie (KO 2pm, AMT Headingley Stadium)

Sunday 7 June

St Helens v Huddersfield Giants (KO 3:30pm, Thatto Heath)