England to warm up for Vegas against Wales

England Women will warm up for their historic clash with Australia in Las Vegas by taking on Wales as part of a double-header with the second men's international between England and Samoa at Headlingley on November 2.

England will meet the Jillaroos for the first time since the 2017 World Cup at Allegiant Stadium on March 1 and the match against Wales, who recently qualifed for RLWC2026 in Australia, will help them prepare to face the three-times world champions. 

“There is such momentum in Women’s Rugby League, with new stars emerging in the most competitive Women’s Super League yet, an international fixture against Australia confirmed for Las Vegas next March, and now the World Cup in Australia in 2026," RL Commercial managing director Rhodri Jones said.

“As Wales recently qualified for the World Cup alongside England, and with Cardiff Demons again performing impressively this season, it sets up a really attractive double header at Headingley.”

The clash will be the fourth between England and Wales in women’s rugby league and the third to take place in England. The two sides met at the same venue last year.

Wales qualified for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup after beating the Netherlands earlier this year, but coach Tom Brindle said the match against England would be a big test as they prepare for the finals in Australia in 2026.

“After qualifying for the World Cup in June for the first time, as a squad we’ve always wanted to test ourselves and again England offer that chance. This is the quality of opposition that we’ll be facing in Australia in 2026, so we need to be ready," Brindle said.

“Our annual matches against England are always tough and competitive and we expect no different this year. Playing in front of a big crowd at Headingley and live on TV is something that all the players look forward to and I know they’ll put in a big performance as we look to perform against England.”

England Wheelchair team will also be in action at the end of the season when they host their oldest and fiercest rivals, France, at the Robin Park Arena, Wigan, on Saturday October 26 (KO 2.30pm).

The two nations have met on 22 occasions, with France currently holding a 13-9 advantage but England won the last World Cup in 2022.

England’s Men are already confirmed to take on Samoa in the first of their two-match series at The Brick Community Stadium, also in Wigan, the following day (KO 2.30pm).

“We are delighted to confirm details of home fixtures for England Wheelchair and Women this autumn – and also that BBC Sport will again be providing live and exclusive coverage of all three England teams as we countdown to the 2026 World Cup," Jones said.

“The Wheelchair Rugby League rivalry between England and France is one of the fiercest in any form of the sport, with the honours shared last year in fixtures in Leeds and Marseille after England’s memorable triumph in Manchester in the 2022 World Cup Final.

“The Robin Park Arena will be a new venue for international Wheelchair Rugby League having successfully staged the European Club Challenge between Wigan Warriors and Catalans Dragons earlier this year – and it’s an ideal place to kick off a weekend of international Rugby League in Wigan before the first Men’s match between England and Samoa the following day.

“The following weekend fans can now look forward to an international double header at AMT Headingley, with England Women playing Wales before the second Men’s match against Samoa.

“The double header in Leeds last year, when England Women played Wales and the Men completed a 3-0 series win against Tonga, was arguably the highlight of the autumn, with a big crowd at Headingley to see both England teams turn on the style, as Vicky Molyneux and Elliott Whitehead ended their international careers."