England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, has named the 19-strong squad who will make the journey to Toulouse to face France next Saturday (29 June, KO 3.30pm local time) – the first game of an international double header also featuring England Men versus France.
20-year-old Katie Mottershead is in line to make her international debut following an impressive start to the year with St Helens having scored three tries already this season. The hooker has been called up alongside six of her teammates – including Zoe Harris who makes her return to the senior squad for the first time since the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.
Leeds Rhinos’ Izzy Northrop is also in contention after confirming herself as one of Lois Forsell’s key players since moving to the Yorkshire club in 2023. The 24-year-old gained international representation at the end of 2022 when she earned a call-up to the England Students Women's squad and will link up with six of her teammates in France.
Betfred Women’s Super League (BWSL) champions York Valkyrie are well represented with three of their star players included - Georgie Hetherington, Eboni Partington and Olivia Wood.
Wigan Warriors’ Anna Davies has been in blistering form this season having scored 14 tries in the opening rounds of the BWSL and is chosen alongside her Warriors teammate Isabel Rowe.
England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, says:
“It’s been a tough decision on who to include for next Saturday’s international, but I’m really pleased we’ve been able to name some new faces this time round including the likes of Katie Mottershead, Izzy Northrop, Isabel Rowe, Bella Sykes and Erin Stott.
“The trip will be a brilliant experience for them and I’m confident that with the help of our more senior internationals, they will be able to showcase the talent I know they all possess when we get on the pitch in Toulouse.
“Now we’re all looking forward to getting into camp on Thursday and preparing for what will be a tough game against France, who have just overcome Serbia in really tough conditions to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, but we’re up for the challenge.”
France women overcame Serbia 58-0 in 38-degree heat and high humidity at the FC Radnicki Stadium in Belgrade to top group B and qualify for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in the southern hemisphere. It will be the fourth time they have appeared in the global tournament.
England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time) on Saturday 29 June, followed by the Men’s international at 6pm. Both matches will be streamed live from Stade Ernest-Wallon on Super League+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.
SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices and on connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).
France Under 19s will travel in the opposite direction just three days later to take on England Academy at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday 2 July (KO 7.30pm).
Toulouse Olympique's Betfred Championship match against Featherstone Rovers will also be played at Stade Ernest-Wallon on Saturday 29 June, with a 9pm kick-off.
England Women squad:
Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett (both Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Georgie Hetherington (York Valkyrie), Shona Hoyle (Leeds Rhinos), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Izzy Northrop (Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie) Isabel Rowe (Wigan Warriors) Emily Rudge (St Helens), Erin Stott (St Helens), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Paige Travis (St Helens), Olivia Wood (York Valkyrie), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens).
