Saints halfback Faye Gaskin has had bittersweet experiences with the Challenge Cup but remains determined to make a positive impact in this Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final. The experienced scrum half endured a freak long-term injury in the 2022 final when she leapt to celebrate a scoring pass, ultimately requiring her knee to be pinned and plated.
A year later, Gaskin played a crucial role in the semi-final, dropping a goal in the 17-16 victory over York, which secured Saints’ first-ever trip to Wembley.
Now, Gaskin aims to achieve back-to-back victories at the national stadium and secure a fourth consecutive Challenge Cup in what she plans to be her final season as a player.
“Any trip to Wembley is exciting, and we got to experience it last year for the first time,” Gaskin said. “We had never been into camp as a Saints team, so getting that opportunity to prep for a game was thrilling.
“We have all the expectations from last year, but this time, we aim to win four times in a row and achieve back-to-back victories at Wembley. There’s a bit more pressure, but also more excitement than anything.”
The Saints have virtually dominated the Challenge Cup in recent seasons, with their trio of recent successes complementing the three early triumphs with Thatto Heath from 2013-16. This remarkable streak highlights their sustained excellence in the knockout competition.
Gaskin commented, “Many of us came through the ranks at Thatto Heath and won the cup with them; some girls have won it six times, others five. Winning it four times in a row would be a rare achievement for any club.
“This core group of girls has been together for so long now, I don’t think there’s another team with such continuity. Winning four times in a row and walking up those steps twice, back-to-back at Wembley, would cement our place in the history books again.”
Gaskin is under no illusions about the challenge they face at Wembley on Saturday (11:45 am) but is excited about the experience nonetheless.
“I love playing against Leeds—they’re nice humans as well, there’s nothing arrogant about them. They’re just good players who, like us, want to win.
“I think that’s why the games are always so close. It’s never a blowout or a washout because you have two teams who both want to be in that elite environment.
“We both want to train just as hard as each other, and we both want to win that trophy.
“Leeds want to stop us from winning four in a row. Any team would,” she said.
Saints will face former teammates in the Leeds ranks, including Shona Hoyle and Amy Hardcastle, whom Gaskin describes as two of her best friends in the game. However, that friendship is set aside on game day until the final hooter sounds, as demonstrated in their recent Super League encounter.
“For 80 minutes in a game, Amy’s running over the top of me and Shona is next—but that is what you expect in rugby league,” Gaskin said.
“Leeds want to stop us from making history, and we’re looking to create more.”
It could have been a completely different story for Gaskin, whose playing career was seriously jeopardized by the severity of the injury she sustained in the 2022 Challenge Cup Final.
Remarkably, she walked off the pitch that day, unaware of the full extent of her injury. It wasn’t until two days later, when her leg started turning blue and her mother insisted she go to the hospital, that she learned she needed immediate surgery.
Gaskin described the physically and mentally tough journey she had to endure on the way to recovery.
“After breaking my knee in that Challenge Cup final, I had doubts about ever getting back here,” she admitted. “I was joking with the surgeon, and he said, ‘You are probably not going to play again,’ and that’s when the reality hit me.
“I knew it was going to be a long rehab road.”
“I had such a big struggle in terms of my mental health and physical health, and I put on a lot of weight,” Gaskin continued. “Last season was really about seeing if I could cope with the demands of rugby league again, with my knee being pinned and plated back together.
“During the off-season, Matty [Smith] told me, ‘I really want you to work on some fitness and strength and get back to that old player,’ and I finally feel like I’m finding my feet again.
“There’s a bit of life left in me, and I’m really enjoying the season so far. I’m back, fit, and stronger than I’ve ever been.”
“So now it’s about seeing what mark I can leave on the club, in this shirt, and then it’s for future generations to come through.”
After hinting last year that she was contemplating hanging up her boots, Gaskin is now serious about ending her career this year after many years of dedicated service.
“This is definitely the end of the line this year. I’m making some life priorities and wanting to have a family, and my partner and I have talked about it quite a lot. It is a hard conversation to have, and there have been some tears as well.
“I then sat down and spoke with coach Matty [Smith] and said I want everything this year. I am aiming for the treble and aiming to walk out for two finals with the girls. I don’t want to go out on a loss, really.
“The goal is three bits of silverware and then happily retire. I am happy where I am at, and I see the next generation coming through, like the girls in the Academy, who are really good but just need a bit of time in an elite environment.
“I like looking at the new halfbacks coming through at Leeds and Wigan, and one day they will get their time to shine at England like I had at 22.
“They always talk about leaving your shirt in a better place, and this year that is what I am going to do.”