England Women will head to Headingley for the final Rugby League World Cup Group match against Papua New Guinea. Take a closer look at the fixture which is set to take place on Wednesday evening.
Craig Richards’ side are looking to end the group in top spot; however, they face a Papua New Guinea Orchids team, who have also won both their group matches.
Richards recall some of his key players, who were rested against Canada on Saturday.
All-Time top scorer, Amy Hardcastle is set to return. Meanwhile, Leeds Rhinos’ star Caitlin Beevers scored the opening try of the World Cup and is expected to return.
Grace Field, Jodie Cunningham and Zoe Harris are all included in the squad.
In just two Rugby League World Cup matches, England have racked up a huge 25 tries in just two matches scoring 126 points.
Tara Stanley has scored five tries and is the lead scoring in the side. Stanley most known as a full-back, however, has featured as a centre in both of the World Cup matches.
Defensively, England have conceded just eight points in two matches.
Captain, Emily Rudge will be looking to continue her good form against the Orchids. Rudge scored five tries in Papua New Guinea in 2019, including four tries in the 24-10 victory in Goroka.
Papua New Guinea will be looking to pip England to top spot when the sides meet at Headingley.
PNG produced a strong second half display in their opening match as they overcame Canada 34-12.
On Saturday, they dominated their contest with Brazil which included 52 second half points, during the 70-0 victory at Hull’s MKM Stadium. Centre, Belinda Gwasamun scored four tries meanwhile Leeds Rhinos’ Tara Moxon scored twice.
Papua New Guinea will be looking to repeat their last match against England. Despite tries from Emily Rudge, Tara Stanley and Naomi Williams, the Orchids were able to defeat England 20-16 in Port Moresby.
The match at Headingley is part of a double header, with Brazil facing Canada at 5PM and England taking on Papua New Guinea at 7:30. The England match will be shown live on BBC Two.
England 19-Player Squad:
Tara Stanley, Caitlin Beevers, Fran Goldthorp, Amy Hardcastle, Leah Burke, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Grace Field, Tara Jones, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Emily Rudge (captain), Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Shona Hoyle, Olivia Wood, Paige Travis, Keara Bennett, Zoe Harris, Carrie Roberts.
Papua New Guinea 19-Player Squad:
Anika Butler, Belinda Gwasamun, Shellie Long, Shae Yvonne De La Cruz, Sera Koroi, Lilah Malabag, Elsie Albert, Therese Aiton, Gloria Kaupa, Emily Veivers, Essay Banu, Jessikah Reeves, Ua Ravu, Michelle John, Martha Molowa, Talitha Kunjil, Carol Humeu, Shirley Joe, Lisa Marie Alu
