The England Knights women’s rugby league squad have expressed their goals of hoping to move up to the England’s first team in time for the 2025 World Cup.
As a squad of players that just missed out on the upcoming World Cup, or are part of the development squad, they are looking to work hard to make sure they don’t miss out again.
The team have just played in a warm up game against the Cook Islands team in a friendly to get that experience of what it is like to play in the environment against a World Cup team, but despite losing 26-14, the players had good things to say about the experience like “It inspires and shows us where we could get to.”
After getting a taste of what it feels like to be in the setup, It has left the women eager to move up just that one extra level.
Knights’ centre Anna Mary Davies said: “Obviously I would love to be a part of that 2025 World Cup squad, so that’s the ultimate aspiration.”
As somebody who only took Rugby up at 18 years old after usually specializing in athletics, it’s been a fast journey to get to where she is, but she still believes she can go the extra step.
The coaches and staff are confident that this group all have the quality to progress to the main team.
Stuart Barrow, the head of England’s pathways said: “Everyone involved today for the England Knights has the potential to progress, so it’s up to them how quickly or slowly they do that”
England start their first game on November 1st with a double header at Headingley Stadium and the Knights will be watching on, waiting for their opportunity.
