Georgia Wilson: French test will be good preparation ahead of World Cup
England Women’s Georgia Wilson says that another stern test against France this weekend will stand the Wall of White in good stead ahead of the World Cup later this year.
Utility back Wilson, 25, has played at club level for Wigan for four years. Scoring a try in their 2018 Grand Final win over Leeds, she is also a sports coach with the Warriors.
The Cumbrian first debuted on the international scene in 2019. Playing in a 9s tournament for her country down under, Wilson scored the only try of the game against Australia.
“France are in the World Cup later this year and having a game against them now – a few months before it – is massive,” Wilson told Love Rugby League.
“If they can bring a good game and make it a challenge for us, then it’ll stand as good preparation.
“We know they’re going to be a very physical side, and they’ll have developed since the last time that we played them.
“They’ll come our and give it their best shot, we’ll do the same, and hopefully together we’ll put on a bit of a show for rugby league.”
Winning in Wales
Named in Craig Richard’s ‘National Performance Squad’ back in January, Wilson’s chances of appearing at the World Cup appear strong.
She helped the Lions to a 32-6 win away at Wales last weekend, a nation whom England had defeated 60-0 last June.
Wilson added, “A win’s a win at the end of the day. Training went really well the day before that game, but we’ve just got to keep focusing on the good stuff.
“I actually think we’ve learned more from that performance and scoreline than we did when we were beating them by 60 last year.
“You’ve got your negatives in the mistakes that we made, but you’ve got to focus on the positives, and that’s what we are doing. We’ll push on and be the best we can be this weekend.”
Flying Solo
The Women’s group at this autumn’s World Cup contains Brazil, Canada, and Papua New Guinea.
Wilson is the only Wigan player in the national setup at the moment, but isn’t fazed by that.
“I’m already friends with some of the girls from other clubs, but you’ve got to make the effort to try and build relationships with them.
“When we’re in camp, we forget about those club teams because we’re all one. We’re all fighting for the England shirt, and you’ve just got to perform.”
Saturday’s game with familiar foes France comes as part of a double-header. The women kick things off at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium, getting underway at 3:15pm.
The Wall of White’s men – headed up by Shaun Wane – then kick off at 5:45pm. They take on a Combined Nations All Stars side coached by Ellery Hanley.
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