The England women’s rugby league squad stepped up their preparations for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup with a commanding display against France on Saturday, turning the match in Toulouse into a showcase of skill, depth and confidence. The encounter, staged at the Stade Ernest‑Wallon – the home ground of Toulouse Olympique – marked England’s first international outing of the calendar year and provided a clear signal that the team is hitting its stride ahead of the global tournament. From the opening whistle, the French side attempted to seize the initiative, earning an early lead through two well‑taken penalty kicks that were calmly converted. However, the English side quickly responded, with debutante Ellise Derbyshire crossing the try line for the visitors, restoring parity and setting the tone for a match that would soon tilt decisively in England’s favour.
Derbyshire’s early try was a testament to her composure under pressure, as she capitalised on a gap in the French defensive line and demonstrated the kind of finishing ability that coaches look for in a World Cup campaign. England’s attacking momentum continued to build as Lucy Murray added two tries of her own, each illustrating her speed and agility on the wing. Murray’s first try came after a slick passing sequence that saw the ball move quickly across the backline, while her second showcased her ability to finish from a tight angle, beating the French full‑back with a deft sidestep before grounding the ball.
The English side’s fluidity was further highlighted when Ella Donnelly, playing her inaugural match in an England shirt, managed to cross the line for her maiden try. Donnelly’s effort was the result of a well‑executed set‑piece move that saw the forwards drive the ball forward, creating space for the backline to exploit. Among the standout performers was the reigning Woman of Steel, Eva Hunter, whose electrifying run in the first half epitomised the physicality and determination that have become hallmarks of her game.
Hunter sliced through a wall of French defenders, using her strength and footwork to break tackles and sprint to the try line, extending the English lead to 28‑4 at the interval. Her try not only widened the scoreline but also served as a morale‑boosting moment for the whole squad, reinforcing the belief that they can dominate opposition when they execute their game plan with precision.
The second half saw England maintain the intensity that had characterised the first 40 minutes. Play‑maker Jenna Foubister added her name to the scoresheet, demonstrating her vision and timing by exploiting a defensive lapse and diving over for a try that further cemented England’s superiority.
Derbyshire, not content with her earlier contribution, secured a second try, showcasing her knack for finding gaps and supporting her teammates in the attacking line. Throughout the match, England’s goal‑kicker Izzy Rowe proved reliable, successfully converting five of the seven attempts at goal, a conversion rate that helped to keep the scoreboard ticking over and ensured a comfortable margin.
In total, England recorded six tries – two each from Derbyshire and Murray, and single scores from Donnelly, Hunter and Foubister – while France managed only two penalty goals. The final tally of 38‑4 reflected a comprehensive performance that highlighted England’s offensive firepower, defensive solidity and the depth of talent across the squad. The victory also provided valuable match experience for several emerging players, such as Derbyshire and Donnelly, who can now carry the confidence of a World Cup‑level win into future fixtures.
Beyond the immediate result, the match served as an important benchmark for England’s coaching staff, led by Stuart Barrow, who used the game to assess player combinations, test tactical variations and fine‑tune set‑piece execution ahead of the World Cup. The ability to rotate the squad while still producing a dominant performance suggests that England possesses the flexibility to adapt to different opponents and conditions during the tournament.
The win in Toulouse also has broader implications for women’s rugby league in England, offering a boost to the sport’s visibility and encouraging greater participation at grassroots levels. By delivering a high‑quality performance on French soil, the team not only reinforced its own ambitions but also contributed to the growing reputation of women’s rugby league as an exciting, competitive sport capable of drawing international audiences. Looking forward, England will aim to build on this momentum, using the lessons learned from the French test to refine their strategies and maintain the high standards set in Toulouse.
The squad’s blend of experienced campaigners and promising newcomers positions them well to contend for the Rugby League World Cup title, and supporters will be eager to see how the team translates this dominant display into success on the world stage. For more updates on England’s rugby league journey and the latest news from the sport, visit the official England Rugby League website and stay tuned to upcoming fixtures and analyses.