Meet the Mitch Sargent aiming to help York Valkyrie reach first Wembley Challenge Cup final

The assistant coach standing in for Leon Pryce at this week’s press conference was not the former NRL and Castleford Tigers prop of the same name.

"There is a Mitchell Sargent that played but I'm a different Mitchell Sargent," he said with a smile. "Everyone always thinks I'm the handsome one.

"I've had a long career working and coaching in the game. I started as a junior out of high school with the NRL as a development officer and then worked for the Queensland Rugby League in an administrative role.

"Through all those times, I always had a passion to coach and help the female game grow. I moved through the grades and spent the last two years under Brett Kimmorley as an NRLW assistant coach with the Wests Tigers.

"That journey finished up, I got a phone call from Clint (Goodchild, York owner) and here I am now."

Sargent has teamed up with Pryce, tasked with bridging the gap that has developed between the all-conquering Wigan Warriors and the rest.

The new-look Valkyrie's first opportunity comes this weekend at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, where they will bid to end Wigan's trophy defence and book the club's first Wembley trip.

"We're expecting a really tough game," said Sargent, who saw York beat Barrow Raiders and Huddersfield Giants in the previous rounds.

"Wembley is a massive motivator for this team. It's one of the final things this team as a playing group hasn't achieved. I know there's a burning desire to get there.

"But we know we need to focus on Wigan before we even dream about getting to Wembley. We know what's coming this week and need to be at our best.

"We've had a couple of tough rounds leading up to this match. That's been good for us. For Leon and I, those were the first two games we've seen of this group. We've got no doubt that it's going to take some time for this team to fully click as the girls get used to the style of coaching and style of play we've introduced.

"We can't fault their attitude or commitment. They're the two main ingredients you need in rugby league."

York have some new faces for their latest Challenge Cup bid, including Monique Donovan.

The Australian centre has only been in the country for a matter of weeks but already has a sense of what the competition means to the Valkyrie.

She insists York are ready for the challenge that awaits them on Saturday.

"It's not really daunting," said Donovan. "It's a semi-final so it's supposed to be hard.

"Reaching Wembley has definitely been a goal for the team. It'd be an amazing experience to play there, not just for myself but the girls who have grown up here and have played in this competition before.

"We're definitely not taking this game lightly at all."

Leeds Rhinos renew their Challenge Cup rivalry with St Helens in Sunday's second semi-final at Doncaster.

The Rhinos lost three finals in a row against Saints from 2022 but have made a strong start to this year's competition, winning all three ties without conceding a point.

While Lois Forsell would have welcomed sterner tests, she insists her side are not at a disadvantage this weekend.

"The sides we've played against were tough physically and never gave up but some of them are from the leagues below us and some of the stuff Saints will throw at us hasn't been thrown at us yet," said the Leeds boss.

"It would have been good prep to have closer games but none of the teams have really had that so it's the same for everyone."