Rugby League
Women’s Rugby Super League Semi-Finals Tips: York’s Upset Warning
Leeds Rhinos will take on York Valkyrie at Headingley on Friday night as the two giants go head-to-head for a spot in the Super League Grand Final, and William Hill News are here with everything you need to know.
Wigan Warriors have already booked their spot in the Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final after a perfect Super Fours campaign, but the race for the second ticket to The Brick Community Stadium comes down to Friday night at Headingley between Leeds and York.
Match information
- Leeds Rhinos vs York Valkyrie
- Venue: Headingley Stadium
- Date: Friday 18th September 2026
- Kick-off: 5:15pm
Head-to-Head form
Head-to-head history offers little clarity. Leeds beat York 30-10 and 38-16 in their two league meetings this season, but York have twice knocked Rhinos out of the play-offs in recent years — including at this exact semi-final stage in 2024, enroute to lifting the title. Add in Tara-Jane Stanley’s continued absence for York against a Rhinos side welcoming back player of the year Ella Donnelly, and this looks a genuine coinflip on paper, momentum favouring the visitors.
What to expect
Whoever wins travels to Wigan on Sunday, September 27 for a Grand Final against a Warriors side that has been utterly dominant all year — 12 wins from 13, a scoring difference of plus-432, and a first defeat of any kind only arriving at York’s hands last weekend.
For now, though, all eyes are on Headingley. A tight, physical contest is the expectation, and with York’s recent scalp of the league leaders fresh in the memory, this could be closer than home advantage suggests.
Our Prediction
Leeds have beaten York twice already this season at Headingley, and the home advantage should once again be enough to get them over the line on Friday, even with the Rhinos’ recent slump in form.
York’s win over Wigan to reach this semi-final was hugely impressive, but it came with home comforts of their own at the LNER Community Stadium, an they’ll be without Tara-jane Stanley again at Headingley.
Expect a tight wrestle, with Leeds’ showing their cutting edge in attack – and with the returning Ella Donnelly – they should have enough to get them over the line an into a Grand Final rematch with Wigan.
