Nine Wigan Warriors players in England squad for France Test as World Cup preparations ramp up
Nine Wigan Warriors players are included in England Women’s 19-strong squad to face France in Toulouse
England Women coach Stuart Barrow has named a 19-strong squad to face France at Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse later this month, including nine players from Wigan Warriors.
England will face France in a women’s international match on Saturday, July 25 - 6pm kick-off (UK). The Test will be followed by Toulouse Olympique hosting Catalans Dragons in the men’s Super League at 9pm (UK).
Barrow’s squad will reconvene in Leeds this Saturday (July 18), with the Test match providing a warm-up game as preparations continue for the World Cup later this year, which takes place Down Under.
The England squad features six potential debutants, including Wigan prop Mary Coleman. A former rugby union player with Preston Grasshoppers, Coleman made her Warriors debut in 2022 and has since become one of the premier props in the Women’s Super League.
Coleman is selected alongside eight of her Wigan team-mates - Mia-Jayne Atherton, Anna Davies, Ellise Derbyshire, Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, Izzy Rowe, Megan Williams and Georgia Wilson.
Atherton, Derbyshire and Williams are also among the potential England debutants, having helped the Warriors secure an unprecedented quadruple in 2025 and the Women’s Challenge Cup at Wembley earlier this year.
Wigan have the most representatives in the England squad with nine. Leeds Rhinos and St Helens have five and four selections respectively, while Tamzin Renouf is York Valkyrie’s sole representative.
Barrow said: “Selection has been very difficult, with so much quality on show during the opening rounds of the Betfred Women’s Super League.
“We have unfortunately lost a few players to injury, which is never ideal given their contribution this season and has created some positional headaches. However, that creates opportunities for others, and several players come into the squad for the first time after consistently impressing with their performances and attitude. They have earned this chance.
“Every international fixture is an opportunity to represent your country with pride, but this match is especially important as we build towards our opening game against Wales at the Rugby League World Cup in October.
“France away is always a tough challenge, and that is exactly the type of test we need at this stage of our preparations.
“While our immediate focus is on delivering a strong performance in France, every training session and camp over the coming months will help shape where we need to be when the World Cup begins.
“I’m excited by the group we’ve assembled and look forward to seeing them embrace the opportunity in Toulouse.”
England Women squad to face France: Mia-Jayne Atherton, Mary Coleman, Anna Davies, Ellise Derbyshire, Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter, Izzy Rowe, Megan Williams, Georgia Wilson (all Wigan Warriors), Keara Bennett, Ruby Bruce, Evie Cousins, Ella Donnelly, Lucy Murray (all Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham, Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth, Katie Mottershead, Vicky Whitfield (all St Helens), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie).
Elsewhere, Wigan duo Bethan Dainton and Carys Marsh have been named in Wales’ 23-woman squad to face Canada at The Gnoll in Neath on Sunday, July 19. The Welsh are preparing to make their World Cup debut later this year, where Tom Brindle’s side will face England, Australia and Samoa.