As England's women's rugby league team stepped up their preparations for the upcoming World Cup, they delivered a resounding performance against France in a mid-season international match held in Toulouse on Saturday. The team dominated the game, ultimately securing a 38-4 victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, home of Toulouse Olympique. In their first international match of the year, England initially trailed behind France, who had taken the lead with two converted penalties. However, debutant Ellise Derbyshire turned the tide for the visitors with a decisive score.
Lucy Murray made her mark with two tries, followed by Ella Donnelly, who scored her first-ever try for England, as Stuart Barrow's team began to assert their dominance. Eva Hunter, the Woman of Steel, made a notable impact with a powerful run that left numerous French defenders in her wake, taking the score to 28-4 by half-time.
England maintained their momentum in the second half, with playmaker Jenna Foubister increasing their lead, and Derbyshire scoring her second try. Izzy Rowe successfully converted five out of seven attempts. Tries: Derbyshire (2), Murray (2), Donnelly, Hunter, Foubister