England 36-10 France: Hardcastle and Roche braces help Lionesses win

Amy Hardcastle and Georgia Roche scored two tries each to help England beat France 36-10 in Warrington as part of their World Cup preparations.

England backed up their 40-4 win in the south of France last autumn with another fine display at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

There were three Women’s Super League clubs represented in the England side that faced France. There were eight from St Helens, five from Leeds and four from York.

It took 10 minutes for England to get into the game due to stern French defence, but they broke the deadlock in the 12th minute through Hollie Dodd, with Tara Stanley converting.

England scored two tries in three minutes midway through the first half thanks to centre-wing pairing Caitlin Beevers and Amy Hardcastle.

France pulled one back just before the break through Cristina Song-Puche, but the hosts were 16-4 to the good at the break.

HT: England 16-4 France

France were dealt a blow at the start of the second half when Elodie Pacull was sent to the sin bin for a late hit on Jodie Cunningham.

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The Lionesses took advantage of having the extra woman on the field when Hardcastle got her second in the 48th minute.

Georgia Roche went over five minutes later thanks to some sharp footwork.

France’s ‘never say die’ attitude was commendable throughout. They pulled another back through Fanny Ramos going over from dummy half on the hour.

England finished the game with two tries in the last five minutes through Roche and Fran Goldthorp. The Lionesses sealed a 36-10 win in Warrington in what was a good warm-up game ahead of the World Cup.

FT: England 36-10 France

England: Stanley; Burke, Goldthorp, Hardcastle, Beevers; Winfield-Hill, Roche; Field, Jones, Wood, Rudge, Dodd, Cunningham. Subs: Bennett, Travis, Hoyle, Whitfield.

Tries: Dodd, Beevers, Hardcastle (2), Roche (2), Goldthorp Goals: Stanley 4

France: Akpa; Song-Puche, Biville, Canal, Samarra; Ciria, Varela; Alvernhe, Mansard, Pacull, Menaa, Monsarrat, Bessahi. Subs: Borak, Samarra, Fourcroy, Ramos.

Tries: Song-Puche, Ramos Goals: Ciria 1