IF Wigan’s men were the kings of rugby league from the late 1980s to mid-1990s, then there can be little doubt the Warriors women are rapidly emerging as the sport’s present-day queens.
That status was further underlined on Saturday afternoon as, for the second year in a row, the Cherry and Whites put old rivals St Helens to the sword 54-6 to retain the Women’s Challenge Cup.
Having swept all before them in 2025, Wigan look on course to do the same again this time around. Their half-century at Wembley took their total points scored in the Challenge Cup to 372 in five matches, while Saints’ converted try was only the third they had conceded in that same time.
“They have transformed this game – this game is different now,” Wigan head coach Denis Betts, one of those who starred for the men’s team during their golden era, said.
“I spoke to a vast number of people and I’ve lots of people who came from Wigan who were like ‘I didn’t know the women’s game looked like that’ – and it didn’t, until they made it look like that.
“They’re constantly trying to improve…and we end up in these conversations where it’s really inspiring for me to coach.”
Leading from the front for the Warriors, as always, was Eva Hunter.
Her team-mate Jenna Foubister may have taken the player of the match accolade, but it was the reigning Woman of Steel who grabbed the headlines with a four-try haul.
The second row became the first woman to score four in a Wembley final, matching men’s duo Leroy Rivett and 2015’s five-try scorer Tom Briscoe to star in such a manner of rugby league’s grandest stage.
Her efforts equalled Thatto Heath Crusaders pair Claire McGinnis and Tara-Jane Stanley from the 2013 and 2016 women’s finals respectively too, bagging two in the first half and a further two after the break.
The competition’s leading scorer in 2026, Anna Davies, added another two to her tally to take her to nine for the competition as well, while Georgia Wilson, Beri Salihi, Grace Banks and Remi Wilton all added one apiece.
Lucy McColm’s converted try proved scant consolation for Saints, who not long ago were dominating the cup by winning it four times in a row from 2021 to 2024.
It meant no fairytale Wembley sign-off for retiring pair Jodie Cunningham and Emily Rudge, two players who made not insignificant contributions to St Helens’ own period of dominance, either.
Wigan, too, said goodbye to one of their icons last year as captain Vicky Molyneux retired, and successor Georgia Wilson is striving to help ensure her legacy continues.
“It was really special last year to co-captain the team with Vic,” Wilson said.
“She’s got big boots to fill and she’s led by example, and hopefully I’m taking after her now.
“I was a really proud moment to lead the girls out. I’m really, really proud of all the girls.”
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