Sky Sports to broadcast mid-season international double-header

Sky Sports will broadcast England’s mid-season international double-header live from the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington.

Sky Sports reporter Jenna Brooks confirmed the news ahead of Leeds’ home clash against Hull FC in Super League.

England’s men and women sides will both play France’s respective teams on Saturday April 29.

After both losing in their respective World Cup semi-finals, the England teams will be looking to build again towards the next tournament in 2025, which will be held in France.

A break has been arranged in the domestic season to enable the fixtures to take place on April 29, with the women kicking off at 2pm and the men at 4.30pm.

England’s fundraising efforts

The double-header with France will be the launchpad for a game-wide fundraising effort in aid of the MND Association.

England’s men and women will wear specially-designed kits for the internationals, inspired by an England shirt closely associated with Rob Burrow. 

5,000 people in the UK are living with MND, a progressive disease affecting the brain and the spinal cord for which there is currently no cure.

England rugby league kit partner Oxen, in associated with RL Commercial, will donate £10 from the sale of each England replica shirt to the MND Association, while £2.50 from every match ticket sold for the England v France internationals will also go to the charity.

Kevin Sinfield OBE said: “The shirt represents three things I love dearly: England rugby league; the MND community and, of course, Rob. Throughout Rob’s diagnosis the rugby league world has got completely behind him.

“It shows the impact he had and continues to have on the sport. And the players who get to wear it will feel incredibly proud to represent Rob and their country. They’ll feel 10 feet tall.

“What we’ve seen over the last couple of years, and with Doddie before, is that awareness is vital. It’s important that we keep banging the drum and raising funds. We need to find a cure.”

Fans can pre-order their shirts, while tickets for the double-header are on sale now.

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