England v Wales: 9 Wigan Warriors stars to feature in Women's Rugby League World Cup opener

Nine Wigan Warriors players will be in action on Saturday when England take on Wales in their opening game of the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

England coach Stuart Barrow has named his line-up for Saturday’s opener, which includes seven Wigan players, with Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Izzy Rowe, Mary Coleman, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams all set to start.

Rowe will partner NRLW star Georgia Roche in the halves, while Jenna Foubister, who was recently crowned this year’s Woman of Steel, is named on the bench as a utility option for Barrow’s side.

Foubister is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the women’s game, with the 19-year-old set to make her first appearance at a World Cup.

Meanwhile, Warriors duo Bethan Dainton and Carys Marsh will go up against several of their club teammates when they pull on the red jersey of Wales, with Dainton captaining her country.

Three players are set to make their international debuts for England this weekend, including Sydney Roosters back-rower Jasmin Strange, who is fresh from winning the NRLW Grand Final, and Canterbury Bulldogs prop Hope Millard, who is the daughter of former Wigan hooker Shane Millard. Women’s Super League Young Player of the Year Connie Boyd is also set to debut after enjoying an impressive campaign with Leeds Rhinos.

Meanwhile, Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the last World Cup in 2022, when she scored three tries in four appearances. The North Queensland Cowboys fullback is one of three England-born NRLW players, alongside Roche of Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.

St Helens skipper Jodie Cunningham will captain England in what will be her fourth and final World Cup. The 34-year-old is England’s record appearance-holder, having won 35 caps since making her debut against France in 2009.

England: Fran Goldthorp; Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown; Izzy Rowe, Georgia Roche; Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams. Subs: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard. Reserves: Olivia Wood, Ruby Bruce, Lucy Murray.

Wales: Leanne Burnell; Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton; Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston; Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton. Subs: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams. Reserves: Jade Mullen, Gracie Hobbs, Amberley Ruck, Hollie Brussels.

The game will take place at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday, 7:35am kick-off (BST), and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 and Premier Player.