Wales, France, southern hemisphere? England boss discusses potential games

England coach Stuart Barrow provided an update on what the future international schedule looks like for his side after their win over France.

England ran in 12 tries to thrash France 64-0 in the mid-season test against France in Warrington on Saturday.

St Helens winger Leah Burke scored four tries whilst reigning Woman of Steel Tara Jane Stanley racked up 20 points after scoring a try and kicking eight goals.

England currently have no further fixtures planned, and finding competitive opposition in the northern hemisphere remains an issue, with Wales or France again the realistic options for an international match this autumn.

Speaking after the game, Barrow said: “The plan is we’ll definitely be playing an autumn international around that Tonga series (for the men).

“The opposition is yet to be fully confirmed but we will now go away, review this game and work hard until that international game at the end of the year. It’s important we get ready for an international game at the end of the year.

“You’ve got Wales who are in the World Cup qualifiers. We’ve played them several times before, it might be that or we might see where France at that stage of the season and we’ll just have to make a decision on that.

“In the future we are obviously looking next year for hopefully playing a southern hemisphere team.”

New coach confident England can bridge the gap

England bowed out of last year’s home World Cup to New Zealand in the semi-finals, but newly-appointed coach Barrow insists they can get bridge the gap against the top two nations Australia and New Zealand.

He said: “I wouldn’t be sat here if I didn’t think that was possible.

“I’ve got great players, like Leah (Burke) sat beside me, who are still young.

“There’s a lot of youth in the squad, there’s a lot of experience in the squad and there’s a lot of players knocking on the door.”

Stuart Barrow surprised by blowout scoreline

The Lionesses boss admitted he was surprised by the 64-0 scoreline against France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

He said: “I don’t think we came here expecting a 64-0 game, I certainly didn’t.

“Last year we played them in June, the girls had 11 rounds of Super League, we had a weak camp and we only beat them 32-10.

“I think the exposure to the World Cup and then coming back in, as coaching staff we had a look at what we do to then simplify it and the girls executed it. It has probably surprised me a little bit today if I’m honest, the scoreline.

“But we want better competition internationally which is what we are trying to find but the Women’s Super League is getting stronger and that allows me to go out and watch players play against each other.”

New arrivals make their mark

Sinead Peach on her England return | Photo: Steve Flynn/News Images

York duo Sinead Peach and Tamzin Renouf came in to the England against France, and Stuart Barrow was impressed with what the new players did.

He said: “I had no doubt that they would fit in to the group straight away.

“The group is a really good group, it is very welcoming and the players came in with the right attitudes and skill levels as you’ve see out there on the field.

“I think going forward as an England team now until 2025, there’s going to be lots of faces that want to knock on the door and join this squad.

“The Women’s Super League is getting stronger and stronger and the young players are coming through, so there’s going to be new faces coming in all the time.”

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