Senior International Matches (Women)

Sat 25th July 2026   - KO  18:00 - Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse , France
Official: Stephane Vincent (France)

France

4

FT

38

Half Time
4 - 28

England

Tries

Ellise DERBYSHIRE (17,62)
Lucy MURRAY (23,28)
Ella DONNELLY (32)
Eva HUNTER (34)
Jenny FOUBISTER (48)

Goals

Lisa DIRAISON (2/2)

Isabel ROWE (5/7)

Match Preview: FRANCE AND ENGLAND NAME SQUADS FOR SATURDAY's WOMEN'S SENIOR INTERNATIONAL

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), Stecy BESSIER, Camille BOUDAD, Lisa DIRAISON, Melisa MEDINA, Perrine MONSARRAT, Elodie PACULL, Perle RAMAZEILLES, Dorine SAMARRA, Manon SAMARRA, Salome SEGALA, Tallis KURESA (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)

23 July 2026
1 Manon SAMARRA
Full Back
Georgia Wilson 1
2 Perle RAMAZEILLES
Right Wing
Anna DAVIES 2
3 Melisa MEDINA
Right Centre
Tamzin Renouf 3
4 Amaël VILANOVE
Left Centre
Evie COUSINS 4
5 Margot CANAL
Left Wing
Ellise DERBYSHIRE 5
6 Camille BOUDAD
Stand Off
Jenny FOUBISTER 6
7 Lisa DIRAISON
Scrum Half
Isabel ROWE 7
8 Elisa AKPA
Prop
Shona Hoyle 8
9 Dorine SAMARRA
Hooker
Keara BENNETT 9
10 Salome SEGALA
Prop
Mary COLEMAN 10
11 Stecy BESSIER
Second Row
Eva HUNTER 11
12 Perrine MONSARRAT
Second Row
Lucy MURRAY 12
13 Elodie PACULL
Loose Forward
Megan WILLIAMS 13
14 Fanny RAMOS
Int 1
Jodie Cunningham 14
15 Tessa BENMALEK
Int 2
Victoria Whitfield 15
16 Tallis ERANOSSIAN
Int 3
Ruby BRUCE 16
17 Sarah-Louise VERNAY
Int 4
Ella DONNELLY 17
18 Cristina SONG PUCHE
Reserve 1
Mia ATHERTON 18
Match Report: England Women win 38-4 in Toulouse against spirited France side!

England’s women posted seven tries in a 38-4 win over France as both nations prepare for the IRL Women’s World Cup in October, but the much-improved hosts made them work hard for their victory in Toulouse on Saturday.

Winger Ellise Derbyshire scored two tries on her England debut after France had led 4-0, Lisa Diraison kicking two penalties leading up to the 20th minute.

England women’s head coach, Stuart Barrow, noted: “Getting to play a tough international against a France side who really tested us defensively was invaluable in the build up to the World Cup at the end of the year.

“It was pleasing to offer five new debutants an opportunity, and I thought they all took their chance well. It’s given us lots of learnings as we move forward, we started with a low completion rate but defended very well, once we started to play more directly, I thought we showed some really good quality with the ball.”

Leeds backrower Lucy Murray crossed twice in five minutes, debutant Ella Donnelly from the bench and Eva Hunter going over in quick succession to give the visitors a 28-4 half time lead.

France showed great defensive resolve in the second period to restrict England to only two more tries, from Jenna Foubister and Derbyshire’s second, Izzy Rowe finishing with five goals from seven attempts.

New France women’s head coach, Alan Walsh, noted: “Our first 15 minutes was close to perfect except for a couple of penalties against us, the players did everything we asked of them. Elisa Akpa had an excellent game and worked tirelessly, Lisa Diraison kicked and organised the team well and defended extremely impressively against their very strong left edge, while Perrine Monsarrat worked really hard and fullback Manon Samarra ran well in attack. I'm extremely proud of the full team.”

The game was played to NRLW Rules with 35-minute halves.

26 July 2026