England storm to victory in Toulouse

England Women kicked-off their two-match international series against France on Sunday with a convincing 28-8 victory in Toulouse

Coached by Brenda Dobek, the youthful looking side with an average age of 22 featured seven debutants – three of which were aged under 18 and had progressed from the RFL’s Talent Development programme.

However, it was one of the side’s most experienced players, Natalie Gilmour of Wakefield Panthers, who led the way for England scoring two tries. She was joined on the score sheet by Emily Rudge of Warrington Ladies and Bradford Thunderbirds’ Rachel Twibill.

Two debutants - Jodie-Lea Cunningham (Warrington Ladies) and Amy Hardcastle (Siddal Ladies) - also marked their first international game with a try apiece.

Middleton’s Lisa Taylor managed two conversions.

England Head Coach Brenda Dobek said: “We’re delighted with the result, even though there are some areas of our game that we need to work on.

“The youngsters gave a good account of themselves in hot, testing conditions and took a lot from the experience.”

England will look to whitewash the French in Saturday’s second test which will be played as a curtain raiser to the Co-operative Championship fixture between Toulouse and Widnes Vikings at Stade Ernest Argeles in Blagnac.

The England women’s squad in full is:

Hannah Bairstow (Middleton)

Danielle Bose (Bradford Thunderbirds)

Jodie-Lea Cunningham (Warrington Ladies RC)

Andrea Dobson (Wakefield Panthers)

Natalie Gilmour (Wakefield Panthers)

Claire Hall (Copeland Wildcats)

Amy Hardcastle (Siddal Ladies)

Charlene Henegan (Bradford Thunderbirds)

Isobel Howard (Warrington Ladies RC)

Margaret Lowish (Nottingham Outlaws)

Kelsey Morgan (Wakefield Panthers)