York Valkyrie have clinched a place in the 2026 Women’s Super League Grand Final, where they will meet defending champions Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m. live on Sky Sports.
Their path to the final was sealed with a commanding 12‑0 victory over Leeds Rhinos in a semi‑final played at Headingley, a performance that marked a dramatic reversal of fortunes for a side that had suffered heavy defeats just weeks earlier. Earlier in the season York endured a 38‑16 loss to Leeds on August 8 and a 44‑0 drubbing at the hands of Wigan on August 15. Those setbacks could have defined their campaign, but the Valkyrie responded with a string of impressive wins, beating Leeds at home, toppling St Helens on the road and then overcoming Wigan on their own turf before the semi‑final showdown. The turnaround highlighted the resilience and growing confidence within the squad.
The semi‑final itself unfolded as a tightly contested affair for the opening 21 minutes, with neither side able to break the deadlock at Headingley. The deadlock was finally shattered in the 22nd minute when York’s Liv Wood executed a deft twist and turn, grounding the ball for a try. Tara Jane Stanley added the conversion, giving York an early 6‑0 lead.
As the first half drew to a close, Leeds appeared poised to score when a grubber‑kick from Ruby Walker went awry, allowing Stanley to scoop up the loose ball and sprint clear for a potential second try. Instead, she opted for a penalty goal from distance, extending York’s advantage to 8‑0 with three minutes remaining before the break. The second half began with York pressing forward. 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 intervened after reviewing the footage and determined that she had lost control of the ball during the grounding, nullifying the try. Undeterred, York’s defense held firm as Leeds launched a series of attacks. On the hour mark, Georgia Elliston of Leeds powered over the line for a try, only for the Video Referee to rule it out for obstruction. York then sealed the match when Adaoha Akwiwu burst through a short‑pass from Stanley to touch down, cementing a 12‑0 win.
Leeds managed a late chance when Ebony Stead seemed to score a try out wide with six minutes left, but once again the Video Referee disallowed the score after confirming that she had lost control of the ball while crossing the line. The final whistle confirmed a shut‑out victory for York, though the celebration was tempered by news that Stanley, the night’s standout performer, had failed a Head Injury Assessment and would miss the Grand Final. York’s head coach, Leon Pryce, spoke to Sky Sports after the match, reflecting on the team’s improbable journey: "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." The upcoming Grand Final pits York against a Wigan side that has dominated the conversation around the 2026 Woman of Steel awards. Three Warriors players—Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams—have been shortlisted for the prestigious individual accolade, underscoring the depth of talent Wigan brings to the final.
Nineteen‑year‑old half‑back Jenna Foubister earned her nomination after a prolific season in which she scored nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions. Her playmaking prowess was on full display during the Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, where she created two tries and delivered three line‑break assists, helping Wigan lift the trophy for a second consecutive year.
Current Woman of Steel holder Eva Hunter continued to impress under the guidance of Denis Betts, crossing the line 23 times in all competitions. The dynamic second‑rower combined 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 former St Helens player who joined Wigan ahead of the 2025 season, has quickly established herself as one of the competition’s most consistent forwards. The England Knights international has contributed four tries since the Super Four phase began, playing a pivotal role in Wigan’s push for another historic campaign. York’s journey to the final demonstrates the unpredictable nature of sport, where a team can rebound from heavy defeats to achieve a shut‑out semi‑final victory. Their resilience, tactical discipline and the leadership of Leon Pryce have set the stage for a compelling showdown against a Wigan side brimming with individual accolades and a winning pedigree.
Fans can tune in to watch the Grand Final live on Sky Sports on Sunday, September 27, with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. The match promises a clash of styles—York’s gritty, defensively‑solid approach against Wigan’s attacking flair and star‑power—making it one of the most anticipated fixtures of the women’s rugby league calendar. As the Valkyrie prepare for the biggest game of the season, they will also have to cope with the loss of Tara Jane Stanley, whose concussion assessment rules her out of the final.
The team will need to find alternative sources of leadership and kicking accuracy, tasks that will fall to other experienced players within the squad. Regardless of the outcome, York Valkyrie’s semi‑final triumph will be remembered as a testament to perseverance, teamwork and the ability to overturn expectations—a narrative that adds depth and excitement to the upcoming Grand Final showdown with Wigan Warriors.