Women’s Challenge Cup schedule confirmed

The schedule for the group stage matches in the Women’s Challenge Cup have been confirmed by the RFL.

The competition will adopt the new format ahead of the 2022 edition. Previously, the tournament had just been a straight knock out.

St Helens, who are the defending champions, were drawn against Warrington, Barrow and the Army in one of four groups.

Meanwhile, Leeds, Huddersfield, Leigh Miners and Hull FC make up Group B. York, Wigan, Bradford and Widnes are in Group C and Castleford, Wakefield, Featherstone and Oulton make up Group D.

The Challenge Cup group stage matches will take place between 13th March and 3rd April.

After the group stage is completed, the top two teams from each group will progress into the quarter finals. At that stage, the tournament becomes a straight knock out tournament.

The quarter-finals start a week after the conclusion of the group stages. The semi-finals are then two weeks later before the final on 7th May at Elland Road.

Saints come into the 2022 season having completed the treble. They are only the second team to achieve this in the Super League era, after Bradford did it in 2017.

Challenge Cup Group fixtures in full

Sunday 13 March

Group A: Barrow v St Helens; Army v Warrington

Group B:  Huddersfield v Leeds; Leigh Miners v Hull FC

Group C: Bradford v Wigan; Widnes v York

Group D: Castleford v Wakefield; Oulton v Featherstone

Sunday 27 March

Group A: St Helens v Army; Warrington v Barrow

Group B: Hull FC v Leeds; Leigh Miners v Huddersfield

Group C: Bradford v York; Wigan v Widnes

Group D: Oulton v Castleford; Wakefield v Featherstone

Sunday 3 April

Group A: Warrington v St Helens; Barrow v Army

Group B: Leeds v Leigh Miners; Hull FC v Huddersfield

Group C: Widnes v Bradford; York v Wigan

Group D: Featherstone v Castleford; Wakefield v Oulton

Read More: Women’s Super League to expand to 12 teams from 2022