The England women's rugby league team intensified their preparations for the upcoming World Cup with a resounding win against France in their mid-season international match on Saturday, delivering a commanding performance in Toulouse. In their first international fixture of the year, England secured a decisive 38-4 victory at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, home of Toulouse Olympique. Following France's initial lead through two converted penalties, debutant Ellise Derbyshire scored for the visiting team.
Lucy Murray then touched down twice, and Ella Donnelly also crossed for her first-ever try in an England shirt as the team, led by Stuart Barrow, began to dominate. Eva Hunter, the Woman of Steel, made a remarkable run, evading multiple French defenders to touch down and take the score to 28-4 at halftime. England continued their momentum in the second half, with playmaker Jenna Foubister scoring to increase the lead, followed by Derbyshire's second try, and Izzy Rowe successfully kicking five out of seven conversions.
The tries were scored by Derbyshire (twice), Murray (twice), Donnelly, Hunter, and Foubister.