Women’s RL: How England coach Craig Richards’ Rugby League World Cup preparations are coming together
UNCAPPED Leeds Rhinos hooker Keara Bennett has been called into England Women’s 31-strong National Performance Squad as they continue preparations for the Rugby League World Cup this autumn.
She has been rewarded following some impressive showings for Leeds culminating in a Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final appearance last season.
Pontefract-born Bennett is one of eight Rhinos players included in head coach Craig Richards’s squad, including off-season signings Emma Lumley and 2018 Woman of Steel Georgia Roche.
Hollie Dodd – who made her international debut last term – and Tara Stanley are both also named after leaving Castleford Tigers for York City Knights ahead of the 2022 season.
The England squad will meet for the first time this year when they train at Weetwood Sports Park in Leeds on Saturday.
“I’m really pleased to have named our first National Performance Squad in a World Cup year,” said Richards.
“The majority of the players included have been in or around the programme for some time now and I feel we have some real quality amongst the squad.
“It’s great to have been able to add Keara Bennett to the squad after she consistently performed for Leeds throughout 2021.
“We had several international debutants last season and there are certainly going to be opportunities for players to break into the side before the World Cup.
“We’ve been building towards this World Cup for a number of years now, but know how crucial our preparations over the next nine months are going to be.”
Treble-winners St Helens have a dozen players named including reigning Woman of Steel Jodie Cunningham and England captain Emily Rudge.
Experienced international Shona Hoyle represents Huddersfield Giants following their promotion to Group 1 of the BWSL in 2022.