England Women will start their Rugby League World Cup campaign tomorrow (Tuesday 1 November) at Headingley Stadium in Leeds. Here is a closer look at the opening fixture of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.
Craig Richards has named his 19-player squad for the World Cup Opener, which is packed full of talent.
The 2022 Woman of Steel, Tara Stanley has been included in the squad. Meanwhile previous Women of Steel winners, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill and Jodie Cunningham all are also included in the squad.
St Helens forward, Emily Rudge will captain the side. Rudge will be making her 27th international appearance.
Fellow St Helens teammates Leah Burke, Tara Jones, Vicky Whitfield, Zoe Harris, Shona Hoyle and Amy Hardcastle have all been selected in the 19-player squad.
England ended their mid-season internationals with two victories from as many matches.
In the opening match, England headed to Newport to face Wales. Leeds Rhinos’ back, Fran Goldthorp grabbed herself a brace.
Meanwhile, Hollie Dodd, Shona Hoyle, Tara Jones and Amy Hardcastle added the other tries.
Six days later, England headed to Warrington to face France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
England’s all-time leading try scorer, Amy Hardcastle, scored a double. Half-back Georgia Roche, also crossed for two tries.
Leeds duo Fran Goldthorp and Caitlin Beevers added scores along with York’s Hollie Dodd.
Brazil will be hoping to get off to a good start when they travel to Leeds.
The Amazonas have played a warm-up match against France at Featherstone’s Millennium Stadium.
Despite losing 16-4, Brazil gave a good account of themselves in tough conditions. Franciny Amaral scored their only try after crashing on to a short pass close to the French line.
This will be Brazil’s first Rugby League World Cup match.
The game will be shown live on BBC Two with kick-off at 2:30PM.
England Women 19-Player Squad:
Tara Stanley, Caitlin Beevers, Fran Goldthorp, Amy Hardcastle, Leah Burke, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Grace Field, Tara Jones, Hollie Dodd, Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Molyneux, Vicky Whitfield, Shona Hoyle, Oliva Wood, Keara Bennett, Zie Harris, Zoe Hornby
Brazil Women 19-Player Squad:
Adriana Felix, Tati Fernandes, Leticia Medeiros, Daniele Soares, Giovanna Moura, Maria Graf, Franciny Amaral, Patrica Bodeman, Paula Casemiro, Patricia Oliveira, Amanda Welter, Barbara Leal, Giovanna Barth, Franciele Barros, Brena Prioste, Ana Loschi De Quadros, Natalia Momberg, Pamella Silva, Edna Santini
