The Nixon Report - Can St Helens win 5 Challenge Cups in a row plus win the Women's Super League?
- Greg Nixon
- Apr 3
- 2 min read
The Women’s Super League season for 2025 was officially launched with a media event at the Leigh Sports Village this week, hosted by Sky’s Jenna Brookes and attended by head coaches and players from all eight Super League clubs. And while there were plenty of discussions about which team will do what this time around, there wasn’t much disagreement in the room that St Helens are going to be the team to watch once again this year.
They have been bolstered by the return of Amy Hardcastle and Shona Hoyle, as well as Caitlin Casey, all crossing the Pennines from Headingley as the Saints look to win the Challenge Cup for a fifth straight season and to stop York Valkyrie landing a third successive Grand Final win. Even better news for the Red V is that Faye Gaskin has put off her expected retirement for one more season at least. Youngsters Phoebe Hook and Katie Mottershead will be joined by Academy graduates Caitlin Maylor, Emma Lowe and Hollie Brussels, who will all be keen to impress head coaches Craig Richards and Derek Hardman.
But the fact Saints are favourites for most people before the season starts doesn’t surprise Richards, who believes pulling on that Red V shirt brings with it its own pressures.
In other news....
Away from Super League, congratulations to Swinton Lionesses for continuing their impressive start to the season, with Sammi Simpson getting another hat-trick, London Broncos who defeated Featherstone Rovers and Hull KR who beat Sheffield Eagles.
And finally, just a word for Wakefield Trinity’s Courtney Evans, who has returned to playing just five months after donating part of her liver to save the life of a baby she has never met. She had major surgery in October but was back last weekend to play in the victory over Halifax and is now hoping she can meet up with the baby and his parents at some point in the near future. Inspirational stuff from Courtney there.
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