Rising star Ruby Bruce says Leeds Rhinos 'buzzing' ahead of huge Women's Challenge Cup semi-final v St Helens
Rising star Ruby Bruce is backing Leeds Rhinos’ youth to overcome the experience of St Helens in Sunday’s Women’s Challenge Cup semi-final at Eco-Power Stadium in Doncaster (1pm).
Saints beat Rhinos at the same stage in 2021 and in each of the following three Challenge Cup finals, the last two of which were played at Wembley and Bruce admitted: “They are a very experienced side.
“We are more of a young side, but they have got the experience and they are tough. It is always a good battle and we know it could take 80 minutes to win the game. We have just got to keep in the battle and hopefully we’ll come up with a win.”
Hooker Bruce joined Rhinos’ academy from the Dewsbury Moor community club and was promoted to the senior squad for last season. Ever present in 2025, she scored nine tries in 18 appearances, was a Betfred Women’s Super League young player of the year nominee and made her England debut.
“Everyone’s excited, we are really buzzing,” she said of this weekend’s tie, which will be broadcast live by the BBC. “We’ve prided ourselves this pre-season on our defence, we want that to be our trademark and so far we’ve stuck to it. It will be exciting to see if we can do it again on Sunday.
“It is always a challenge against Saints, they are a really good team, but if we just stick to our processes I think we are in a good position. The new players have settled in really well, they are looking really good in training and everyone seems to have just clicked this pre-season, which is really nice to see.”
Rhinos were crushed 44-14 by Wigan Warriors in a Challenge Cup semi-final last year, but Bruce insisted: “If anything that has helped us. We don’t want to feel like we did last year so it has pushed us and been a learning curve, more than anything.
“I haven’t played at Wembley and it would be the week after my 19th birthday. It has always been a dream and it would be surreal to get there.”
Leeds remain one of the women’s game’s big-four, along with Wigan and York Valkyrie - who meet in Saturday’s first semi-final - and Saints. After a disrupted season on and off the field last year, Bruce reckons they are in much better shape now.
“We’ve got a new strength and conditioning coach and she has really pushed us and put us in the best shape we can be,” she said. “It feels like we’ve had a proper pre-season to settle in as a group and we look a totally different team with how well we’ve gelled. Last year taught us all a lesson and we have got the excitement to go and win some silverware this season.”
Rhinos are boosted by the return from injury of England duo Keara Bennett and Lacey Owen, but Australian forward Georgia Elliston (foot) is ruled out and joins Caitlin Beevers (knee), Lill Seal (ankle), Evie Cousins (hamstring) and Sophie Nuttall (ankle) on the casualty list. Dual-registered London Broncos centre Nicole Kennedy is in the squad after making her debut in the 68-0 quarter-final win against Cardiff Demons.
Leeds Rhinos women: from Enright, Stead, Whitehead, Howard, Walker, Donnelly, Bennett, Glynn, Owen, Murray, Brown, Bruce, Boyd, Short, Bryer, Field, Sharp, Blakey, Naidole, Wambalu, Kennedy.