France women begin a new era under head coach Alan Walsh when they face England women on Saturday 25 July at the Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse (kick off 6pm, local time), in a match for world ranking points.

The game is being staged as a curtain raiser to the Toulouse v Catalans Super League clash, and will see both nations use it as preparation for the IRL Women’s World Cup to be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in October/November.

France could give debuts to five players; Tessa Benmalek, Camille Boudad, Perinne Monsarrat, Sarah-Louise Vernay and Amaël Vilanove. “We are really looking forward to playing England,” said Wigan-born Walsh. “It is a massive honour and will be a great challenge.

“Facing them in a World Cup year will be hugely beneficial and play an important role in our preparation for the tournament. We will definitely give our all and hopefully do women’s rugby league in France proud.”

It will be the first clash in a couple of years between the nations, with England having kept a clean sheet in the last two meetings – a 42-0 win in Toulouse in June 2024 and a 64-0 triumph in April 2023 at Warrington.

England have called Megan Williams, Mia Atherton, Ellise Derbyshire, Mary Coleman, Ella Donnelly and Evie Cousins into their squad. England women’s head coach, Stuart Barrow, commented: “Selection has been tough with so much quality on show during the opening rounds of the Betfred Women’s Super League and several players come into the squad for the first time after consistently impressing with their performances and attitude.

“This match is especially important as we build towards our opening game against Wales at the Rugby League World Cup in October. I’m excited by the group we’ve assembled and look forward to seeing them embrace the opportunity in Toulouse.”

The game will be played to NRLW rules, including being of 70 minutes duration, as part of both sides’ preparation for the World Cup which will be based on them.

France’s Stephane Vincent takes charge of the fixture.

The match will be livestreamed on FFRXIII’s YouTube channel.

France (squad): Haoua KESSELY (AS Ayguesvivoise XIII), Amaël VILANOVE (RC Begles XIII), Tallis KURESA, Stecy BESSIER, Camille BOUDAD, Lisa DIRAISON, Melisa MEDINA, Perrine MONSARRAT, Elodie PACULL, Perle RAMAZEILLES, Dorine SAMARRA, Manon SAMARRA, Salome SEGALA (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Elisa AKPA, Margot CANAL, Fanny RAMOS, Cristina SONG PUCHE, Sarah-Louise VERNAY, Tessa Benmalek (St Esteve XIII Catalan)

England (squad): Keara BENNETT, Ruby BRUCE, Evie COUSINS, Ella DONNELLY, Lucy MURRAY (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham, Shona Hoyle, Katie MOTTERSHEAD, Victoria Whitfield (St Helens), Mia ATHERTON, Mary COLEMAN, Anna DAVIES, Ellise DERBYSHIRE, Jenny FOUBISTER, Eva HUNTER, Isabel ROWE, Megan WILLIAMS, Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie)