York Valkyrie have earned their place in the 2026 Women's Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors. The Valkyrie achieved this by delivering a flawless 12-0 victory against Leeds Rhinos in a semi‑final played away from home at Headingley. The final showdown is set for Sunday, September 27, with kick‑off scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
at the Brick Community Stadium, and it will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The turnaround for York has been nothing short of dramatic. Just weeks earlier the side suffered heavy defeats – a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44‑0 drubbing by Wigan on August 15. Since those setbacks the Valkyrie have rewritten their narrative, stringing together wins over Leeds at home, a road victory at St Helens, and a hard‑fought triumph over Wigan on their own turf before clinching the semi‑final.
The match against Leeds began cautiously, with the first 21 minutes ending without any points on the board as both teams tested each other’s defenses. The deadlock was finally broken in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood displayed impressive footwork, twisting and turning before grounding the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley successfully converted, giving York a 6‑0 lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Leeds threatened to score when Ruby Walker attempted a grubber kick that fell short, allowing Stanley to collect the loose ball and sprint clear for a potential try. Instead of a score, Stanley opted to take a penalty kick from distance, slotting it cleanly and extending the lead to 8‑0 with just three minutes remaining before the break.
The second half started with York maintaining pressure. Eight minutes in, Stanley broke through the defensive line and appeared to score a second try, which would have put York comfortably ahead. However, the Video Referee reviewed the play and determined that she had lost control of the ball before grounding it, nullifying the try.
The decision sparked a Leeds resurgence, as the Rhinos launched a series of attacks, but York’s defence held firm, preserving the two‑score advantage. Midway through the half, Leeds’ Georgia Elliston powered over for a try, only for the Video Referee to intervene again, this time citing obstruction and disallowing the score.
York then sealed the win when Adaoha Akwiwu burst through the left side after a short pass from Stanley, touching down for the final try and confirming a 12‑0 victory. Leeds made a late attempt to get back into the game when Ebony Stead seemed to cross the line near the right touchline.
Yet for the third time that evening, the Video Referee ruled the effort invalid, showing that Stead had lost control of the ball before grounding it. The match concluded with York victorious, though the triumph was tinged with disappointment as Stanley, the night’s standout performer, failed her Head Injury Assessment and will miss the Grand Final. In post‑match comments to Sky Sports, York head coach Leon Pryce expressed amazement at the team’s turnaround: "This is unbelievable.
Nobody gave us a chance. Everyone had written us off, and last week they were saying it was going to be another Saints vs Leeds game after Saints won here.
We read the comments and used that as fuel. I don't think we got the respect we deserved, but they've been unbelievable. To come to Leeds in a semi‑final against a really good squad and keep them to zero just shows. It was going to be about grit, toughness and determination.
Against all odds we've got there and I couldn't be more proud. I've been proud of them all season, but the last four or five weeks we've really turned a corner and we don't want the season to end." While York prepares for the Grand Final, Wigan Warriors are already in the spotlight for the 2026 Woman of Steel awards. Three Warriors players—Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams—have been shortlisted for the prestigious individual honor, which will be presented at the Rugby League Awards Night in Manchester on Tuesday, September 29.
Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister earned her nomination after a stellar season, scoring nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions and delivering a Player‑of‑the‑Match performance in the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she set up two tries and provided three line‑break assists as Wigan secured the trophy for the second time. Current Woman of Steel Eva Hunter continued her prolific form under coach Denis Betts, crossing for 23 tries in all competitions. The dynamic second‑rower impressed with her blistering speed, powerful ball‑carrying and relentless defensive work, and made history by becoming the first woman to score four tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley. Megan Williams, a key figure in Wigan’s forward pack, has also made the shortlist after two remarkable seasons with the Cherry & White.
Since joining from St Helens ahead of the 2025 campaign, the England Knights international has been a consistent force, adding four tries during the Super Four phase and helping the Warriors push for another historic season. Fans can watch the climax of the 2026 Women's Super League as Wigan Warriors take on York Valkyrie on Sunday, September 27, with a 5:30 p.m. kick‑off on Sky Sports. The match promises to showcase the very best of women’s rugby league, pitting the defending champions against a side that has defied expectations and demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the season.