Head Coach Stuart Barrow names England Women squad for clash against Wales

England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, has named a 20-strong squad to face Wales at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium on Saturday week (4 November, KO 12noon) –the first game of an international double header also featuring the final match of England Men’s historic series against Tonga (KO 2.30pm).  

St Helens’ Jodie Cunningham, who in August became the first woman to lift the Challenge Cup trophy at Wembley Stadium, captains an England squad which features seven of her teammates that day. Named alongside Cunningham are fellow back-rower Emily Rudge, Shona Hoyle, Tara Jones, Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield and 21-year-old Eboni Partington – who scored her first international try during England’s 64-0 defeat of France in mid-season.

NRLW Grand Final-winner Georgia Roche returns to Headingley for the first time since making the move Down Under from Leeds Rhinos to Newcastle Knights earlier this season. The 23-year-old is named alongside Rhinos’ Keara Bennett, Amy Hardcastle, Zoe Hornby and Caitlin Beevers – scorer of a sensational long-range try against Saints at Wembley Stadium. 

Betfred Women’s Super League champions York Valkyrie are well-represented, with 26-year-old Georgie Hetherington promoted from England Knights to the senior squad for the first time after featuring heavily for the Valkyrie this season as they charged to a domestic double. The utility player is joined by the 2023 Woman of Steel, Sinead Peach, Lacey Owen, Tamzin Renouf, Tara-Jane Stanley and Olivia Wood.

Wigan Warriors’ Anna Davies is also in contention to make her international debut after cementing herself as a key player in an improving Warriors side this year. The winger scored a hat-trick for GB Teachers against Wales in only her second game of Rugby League and is chosen along with Warriors teammate Vicky Molyneux. 

England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, says:

“We had a really competitive selection fixture on Wednesday night which made the decision on who to include and who will miss out very difficult, but this can only mean that the standard and depth of players in the women’s game is getting better and better.

“I am really pleased to add Georgie and Anna to the squad to face Wales next Saturday. They’ve both had a fantastic season with their respective clubs and they’ve both progressed through England Knights which proves that the pathway is working.

“We’re now looking forward to going into camp next week and getting on the pitch at Headingley for what I’m sure will be a tough game against Wales.”

England Women squad

Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett (both Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos), Georgie Hetherington (York Valkyrie), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Tara Jones (St Helens), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors), Lacey Owen (York Valkyrie), Eboni Partington (St Helens), Sinead Peach (York Valkyrie), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Olivia Wood (York Valkyrie), Tara-Jane Stanley (York Valkyrie), Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield (both St Helens)

Tickets for the double-header at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium are on sale now at eticketing.co.uk/rugbyleague from £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s. Those looking to book 10 tickets or more can save 30% on single matches, with prices from £17.50 for Adults and £8.75 for under 16s – available now via the Groups Sales team at groups@rlcommercial.co.uk or 0844 856 1115.