Rising star Evie Cousins has come a long way in the past year, from the trauma of persistent injury to the verge of a Wembley appearance for Leeds Rhinos.

The 18-year-old back could feature in Saturday’s Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup final against St Helens in only her eighth first team appearance. Cousins made her debut less than two months ago, scoring two tries in a Cup quarter-final against Warrington Wolves and has crossed six times in her seven senior appearances so far.

It is a far cry from last year when the young winger, freshly promoted from Rhinos’ academy, spent the entire campaign sidelined by an ankle injury. “I’ve played in every game I’ve been available for,” Cousins said.

“It has been surreal, everyone is helping me. Obviously it was a long season last year, trying to get back from injury, but I feel like I have fit right in. It has been tough, but it has been worth it. It just proves how hard I worked last season and how much I rehabbed. It is paying off, I have got a good centre alongside me and a good team around me.”

Evie Cousins celebrates Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup semi-final win against Wigan Warriors at St Helens. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Evie Cousins celebrates Leeds Rhinos' Challenge Cup semi-final win against Wigan Warriors at St Helens. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Cousins watched from the sidelines when Rhinos were beaten by St Helens in last year’s showpiece, the first women’s final played at Wembley. “I initially broke my ankle and had surgery on it,” she recalled.

“I have got a metal plate in there now. That was meant to be a quick turnaround, but my ankle just stayed bad and we couldn’t figure out until the end of last season what was actually wrong. It’s perfect now.

“I went to Wembley as a supporter, all the rehabbers got to go down and we sat in the dugout. We got to walk out on to the pitch as rehabbers, but I don’t think it will compare to actually walking out in the stadium in front of fans.”

Cup finalists traditionally get to have a look around the stadium the day before the big game, but that isn’t possible this year because of an England football international on Friday night, so last season’s experience will help.

Evie Cousins has been in impressiuve form for Leeds Rhinos after breaking into the first team this year. Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com.

Cousins, from Guiseley, comes from a family of Rhinos fans and most of them will be present on Saturday, travelling on the supporters’ coach. She said: “Knowing how big it is and how many it can hold, I have got a good picture in my mind about what I am going into. I think if I was going into it blind it would be a lot more scary.

“I think I’ll be fine. I don’t really get nervous until I am on the pitch and even then once I get into the game it doesn’t affect me. You just have to block all the nerves out, or you don’t perform as well.”

Rhinos were second-best to Saints last year, having also lost to them in the 2022 final at Elland Road. Cousins believes they are in better shape this time, despite a 12-6 loss to their Wembley rivals in Women’s Super League two weeks ago.

“In training we know what we have to work on to put things right,” she said. “Losing that game made us a lot more eager to win this one. We know what we’ve got to fix.”