After eighteen months without a play-the-ball the Women’s Super League has finally got a start date for the 2021 season. Ten teams will take part in the competition which will kick off on the 18th April with four fixtures being played on the opening Sunday of the competition.
The Leeds Rhinos will look to defend their 2019 crown with a game against the York City Knights in a double header which will also see the 2019 beaten finalists Castleford Tigers take on local rivals Featherstone Rovers. Both games are to be played in Weetwood, Leeds.
The remaining two games will also take place at a single ground, Victoria Park in Warrington, when Bradford Bulls will face St Helens and Wigan Warriors take on new side, the Warrington Wolves.
All games will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic and it is expected that the majority of the season will suffer the same fate. The top four sides will be involved in the play-offs at some point in August and it is hoped that some crowds will be allowed into grounds at that point.
There will also be a women’s Challenge Cup with the preliminary round being scheduled for the 25th April when Huddersfield Giants will take on the Warrington Wolves while York City Knights play Wakefield Trinity.
A two match Origin series is pencilled in for the 27th July and 7th August to assist the England sides World Cup preparations which have been ongoing throughout the winter with regular squad training sessions in Leeds.