England's women's rugby league team stepped up their preparations for the Rugby League World Cup with a resounding win against France on Saturday, delivering a commanding performance in Toulouse. In their first international match of the year, England secured a 38-4 victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, home of Toulouse Olympique. After France initially took the lead with two converted penalties, debutant Ellise Derbyshire scored for the visiting team. Lucy Murray then touched down twice, followed by Ella Donnelly's first-ever try in an England shirt, as Stuart Barrow's team began to dominate.
Eva Hunter, the Woman of Steel, made a notable run, evading multiple French defenders to score and take the halftime score to 28-4. England continued their strong form in the second half, with playmaker Jenna Foubister scoring to extend their lead, and Derbyshire claiming her second try, accompanied by Izzy Rowe's successful conversion of five out of seven attempts.
The tries were scored by Derbyshire (twice), Murray (twice), Donnelly, Hunter, and Foubister.