NRLW bound Hollie Dodd and Georgia Roche are set to feature for England against France this weekend, before heading Down Under to make history.
York back-rower Dodd made history earlier this month by becoming the first English player to sign a professional contract in the women’s NRL, joining Canberra Raiders, while Leeds confirmed last week that Roche will be following her.
Roche, 22, was the inaugural winner of the Woman of Steel award in 2018 and has made 10 appearances for England to date.
England women will take on France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium at 2pm on Saturday, prior to the men’s international.
Dodd’s York team-mates Sinead Peach and Tamzin Renouf return to the international set-up after last representing their country on the 2019 tour of Papua New Guinea.
There are eight St Helens players named in 19-player squad, including new skipper Jodie Cunningham, who has recovered from an injury that saw her leave St Helens’ recent game against York on crutches.
Former captain Emily Rudge is named for new head coach Stuart Barrow’s first game, alongside club team-mates Leah Burke, Zoe Harris, Shona Hoyle, Tara Jones, Vicky Whitfield and Eboni Partington.
Partington, who scored two tries in the Women’s Challenge Cup final last season, will make her England debut if selected.
England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, said: “It has been a really difficult decision on who to include and who will miss out. We have only had limited training time since last Autumn’s Rugby League World Cup, but after conversations with clubs and observing the opening rounds of the Betfred Women’s Super League I think we are in a good place with this squad.
“The game against France will give the players an opportunity to get on the field and represent England against a team with a new coach and who are looking strong and fresh – it’s a really exciting proposition for us.
“We have a good mix of experience in the squad which should give us a good platform as we begin the journey to the next Rugby League World Cup in 2025.”
Barrow will be assisted by Leeds head coach Lois Forsell and Derek Hardman, who was the head coach at St Helens when they secured a Women’s Challenge Cup and Super League double in 2021.
England women’s squad v France
Savannah Andrade (York Valkyrie)
Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos)
Leah Burke (St Helens)
Jodie Cunningham (C) (St Helens)
Hollie-Mae Dodd (York Valkyrie)
Grace Field (York Valkyrie)
Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos)
Zoe Harris (St Helens)
Shona Hoyle (St Helens)
Tara Jones (St Helens)
Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors)
Eboni Partington (St Helens)
Sinead Peach (York Valkyrie)
Tara-Jane Stanley (York Valkyrie)
Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie)
Georgia Roche (Leeds Rhinos)
Emily Rudge (St Helens)
Vicky Whitfield (St Helens)
Olivia Wood (York Valkyrie)
MORE: Shaun Wane names 19-man England squad for France test
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