YORK Valkyrie have been handed arguably the toughest start to the 2023 Betfred Women’s Super League season as they visit reigning champions Leeds Rhinos.

York will travel to West Yorkshire on Easter Sunday, April 9 (TBC) as part of a double header at Headingley Stadium.

Leeds Rhinos’ men’s side will take on Huddersfield Giants in the Betfred Super League at 6pm later that day.

The Valkyrie will be seeking to avenge the 12-4 defeat that they suffered in last season’s Grand Final at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens.

Lindsay Anfield’s side will then welcome fellow heavyweights St Helens, the 2022 Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup winners, to the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday, April 16 (3pm) in the first of a run of three consecutive home fixtures.

Valkyrie will also feature in this season’s Betfred Championship Summer Bash, taking on Warrington Wolves in the weekend’s final fixture in front of an expected full-house at the 8,500 capacity LNER Community Stadium on Sunday, May 28 (TBC).

After the break, they will return to action at home to Wigan Warriors (Sunday, July 2, 12pm), in a month dominated by the reverse fixtures against Leeds (Sunday, July 16, 12pm) and St Helens (Friday, July 28, 5.30pm).

Valkyrie will close out the regular season against Huddersfield Giants at the LNER Community Stadium on Sunday, September 10 (3pm).

BWSL general manager Thomas Brindle said: “There is more excitement and anticipation than ever around women’s rugby league in 2023, after the national impact made by England’s performances in the World Cup.

“For the BWSL to kick off with a repeat of last year’s Grand Final as part of a double header at Headingley is another first for the competition, and another big stage for a lot of those England players.

“We welcome three new names to the BWSL in 2023, following the rebrand of York Valkyrie, the new partnership between Leigh Leopards and Leigh Miners Rangers, and the rapid progress made by Salford Red Devils in their debut season in 2022.

“With Warrington building impressively for their elevation to group one, it promises to be the most competitive season yet – and we hope to make some more exciting announcements soon about broadcast coverage.”

York Valkyrie’s 2023 Betfred Women’s Super League fixtures: 

Apr 9: Leeds Rhinos (A)

Apr 16: St. Helens (H)

May 28: Warrington Wolves (H)

Jul 2: Wigan Warriors (H)

Jul 9: Huddersfield Giants (A)

Jul 16: Leeds Rhinos (H)

Jul 28: St. Helens (A)

Aug 6: Warrington Wolves (A)

Aug 20: Wigan Warriors (A)

Sep 10: Huddersfield Giants (H)