England Women to go on Papua New Guinea tour

England Women will play two matches on a tour of Papua New Guinea at the end of the season.

The first test will take place on Saturday November 9 before the second a week later in Port Moresby, as part of a double header with Great Britain’s test against the Kumuls.

Kevin Sinfield, the Rugby Football League’s rugby director, said: “This is a really significant tour, for the England Performance Unit and the England Women, but also for Women’s Rugby League and International Rugby League.

“Just as we were delighted to expose our England Knights players to the unique experiences and challenges of a trip to Papua New Guinea last year as part of the preparation for the men’s World Cup in 2021, this tour presents our women with a completely new challenge that can only help in their lead-in to RLWC2021.

“The fact that it follows competing against PNG, Australia and New Zealand in the World Cup Nines means it’s a really busy and demanding schedule for the players.

“The double header at Port Moresby should be a fantastic occasion. It’s exciting for Great Britain to be playing a first Test in PNG since 1996 and great that England Women will also be making history.”

The selectors have named a 24-strong squad which features eight players from St Helens, including Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunningham, two of nine survivors from the 2017 World Cup.

Squad: Dannielle Anderson, Caitlin Beevers, Charlotte Booth, Shannon Lacey, Amy Johnson (all (Leeds), Leah Burke, Chantelle Crowl, Jodie Cunningham, Faye Gaskin, Emily Rudge, Tara Jones, Vicky Whitfield, Naomi Williams (all St Helens), Grace Field, Kelsey Gentles, Shona Hoyle, Sinead Peach, Tamzin Renouf, Georgia Roche, Tara-Jane Stanley (all Castleford), Rebecca Greenfield, Rachel Thompson, Georgia Wilson (all Wigan), Amy Hardcastle (Bradford).