Wales will make their Rugby League World Cup debut against England on Saturday in Perth, a match that comes just three years after their first full international in June 2021. The Welsh women’s team, led by captain Bethan Dainton, face a daunting challenge in Group A, which also includes Samoa and co-hosts Australia.
Head coach Tom Brindle described the tournament as a significant moment not only for Wales but for European rugby league. “It’s a big opportunity for us as Wales and the people of Wales,” he said. “I think it’s a big opportunity for rugby league across Europe. We have to pinch ourselves that we set off on a journey and we got here and we’re not too far away from competing at our first World Cup game.”
Brindle selected a 21-player squad that features three new starters and two potential debutants on the bench. Among the newcomers is Hannah Bluck, who will represent Wales in her fourth sport after earning 15 senior rugby union caps and playing basketball and under-19 football. Tayla Preston, captain of Australia’s Canterbury Bulldogs and born in Sydney, will make her Wales debut at scrum-half, with Ffion Lewis at stand-off becoming the first Welsh woman to play in a World Cup in both rugby codes. Paige Travis, a second-row player for St Helens who previously represented England at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, also starts.
Captain Bethan Dainton praised the new players for quickly adapting to the team culture. “They jumped in like they’ve been part of this team the whole time, you can’t tell that they’re new to the squad at all,” she said. “We’ve got strengths all across the park, we’ve got some other leaders in the squad which will help the team. They’re amazing athletes as well so I’m excited to see how we go as a team on Saturday.”
On the bench, Erin Williams could make her international debut after switching from rugby union to rugby league just six months ago. Williams, who plays for Cardiff Demons, said following in the footsteps of her brother Zak, a former Wales rugby league international, is a huge honour. “Without him I wouldn’t be here today,” she said. “It’s something I’ve always dreamed of I just didn’t think it would come this early.”
Wales qualified for the World Cup by beating the Netherlands 48-6 in June 2024 and Ireland 28-10 in a Cardiff qualifier. However, their preparations have been tough, with heavy defeats against England, including an 82-0 loss in Leeds and a 62-0 defeat at Neath’s Gnoll ground. They also lost 14-0 to Canada in July at the Gnoll.
Brindle acknowledged the difficulty of their group and the scale of the task ahead. “We know we’re in a tough group, we know there’s going to be challenges but if we live up to our values, I think we’ll grow and be in a better place both in Wales and internationally in ten years’ time,” he said. He emphasized the importance of regular international fixtures for the growth of women’s rugby league in Europe and hopes Wales’ participation will inspire other teams such as Ireland and Scotland.
“We have girls that now want to be Bethan when they grow up, they’re playing more, they’re sending us videos, it’s inspiring,” Brindle added.
Wales face England on Saturday, followed by Samoa on 23 October and Australia on 1 November, all matches taking place in Australia. The meeting with England will be just Wales’ 14th full international. Dainton said captaining Wales at their first World Cup would be a special moment for her and the team. “It’s always an honour to represent Wales in any sport,” she said. “But I think to captain your country at a World Cup is going to be special and it’s something that nobody can take away from you. As soon as we walk out, I think that’s when it’ll start hitting myself and the girls how big this is and how far we’ve come from the first game.”
The Wales starting line-up to face England is Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, and Bethan Dainton. The interchange bench includes Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, and Erin Williams.
According to Yahoo Sports.