Headingley set to host amazing international double header

England Women will return to action this Autumn against Wales at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 4 November – part of an international double header also featuring the Third Test Match of the Men’s series against Tonga.

England played two matches at Headingley during last autumn’s World Cups, attracting a record crowd for their opening fixture against Brazil before returning to beat Papua New Guinea and secure their Semi Final place.

And having successfully returned to action with a 64-0 defeat of France at Warrington in April, head coach Stuart Barrow’s squad will now face a Wales team who have made rapid strides over the last two years – largely built around players from the Cardiff Demons team who have reached the quarter finals of the Betfred Women’s Challenge Cup in their first year in the competition.

November’s fixture will be the seventh time that England Women have played in front of a home crowd since 2020 – evidence of the continuing development of the women’s international game since the England team played its first game in 2007.

England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, said: “I am really pleased that we can confirm a fixture against Wales in November. It will give the squad another opportunity to get on the pitch and represent their country in front of a home crowd.

“It’s important that we have regular international fixtures so that the squad can continue to challenge themselves and it also means that any player not currently in the England set-up knows that there is a game they can aspire to be part of.

“Cardiff Demons are a fantastic example of how successful Rugby League can be in Wales and I think it is important that as a nation, we continue to support this by arranging international fixtures so that they have the opportunity test themselves as a team.”

Wales Head Coach, Thomas Brindle added: “We’re really looking forward to the challenge, this will be the third time we have taken on England and another chance to showcase the significant development of Rugby League in Wales since our first fixture back in 2021.

“We are an ambitious team and challenging ourselves is a key part of the development process, and playing against one of the best teams in the world is a vital step on our journey. Headingley is a fantastic stadium, and we’re grateful to England Rugby League and Dave Rotheram for asking us to compete again, as it allows us to inspire more Rugby League participation across Wales and continue the rise of international Rugby League.”