Referee for England’s clash with France revealed

European Rugby League have appointed Kristoff Young of Wales to referee Saturday’s Women’s International between England and France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Liam Moore will take charge of the Men’s international which follows.

Moore has taken charge of the last two Grand Finals as well as the 2020 and 2021 Challenge Cup Finals.

He is widely regarded as the best referee in Super League at the moment though Chris Kendall is also up there whilst Jack Smith is rising up the ranks as is Moore’s brother Aaron.

Aaryn Golding-Belafonte and Dean Bowmer will be Touch Judges for the Women’s international, with Ryan Cox the Video Referee.

Johnny Roberts and Warren Turley will be Touch Judges for the Men’s international, with Michael Smaill the Video Referee.

Both matches will be shown live on Sky Sports – the Women’s international kicks off at 2pm, and the Men’s international at 430pm.

Today, Shaun Wane named his 19-man squad for the game.

With only Ben Currie, Kai Pearce-Paul, Jack Welsby and captain George Williams having previously represented England in a Test Match, as many as 15 players could earn their first England caps.

Betfred Super League leaders Wigan Warriors have six players included in Wane’s squad and five of them – Ethan Havard, Toby King, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies and Jake Wardle – could all receive their first caps. Wardle, a try-scorer for England in last season’s non-Test status international against the Combined Nations All Stars, has scored four tries in ten games this year for his new club.

Williams and Currie are joined by uncapped Warrington teammates Matty Ashton, James Harrison, Matty Nicholson, Josh Thewlis and Danny Walker. Four of the previously uncapped Wolves have impressed for the Knights in recent seasons whilst Harrison has been a standout at the Halliwell Jones Stadium since his 2022 move from Betfred Championship side Featherstone Rovers.

Also pushing for first international caps are Hull Kingston Rovers duo Jez Litten and Mikey Lewis, both of whom featured for Paul Anderson’s England Knights in wins against France and Scotland last year.

Ash Handley and Tom Holroyd are included from Leeds Rhinos, whilst Tyler Dupree’s impressive form with Salford Red Devils earns him a call-up. World Club Champions St Helens have a sole representative in the shape of full-back Jack Welsby, Super League’s Young Player of the Year for the past two seasons.