Hetherington named in England squad for first time

Stuart Barrow's England face Wales in their second international match of 2023

England coach Stuart Barrow has named Georgie Hetherington in his squad for the November 4 meeting with Wales.

Hetherington is named in the squad for the first time after helping York Valkyrie win the Super League.

The match forms part of an international double-header at Headingley, kicking off at noon before the men's final Test against Tonga.

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Cunningham is one of seven St Helens players in the 20-player squad, alongside Emily Rudge, Shona Hoyle, Tara Jones, Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield and Eboni Partington.

Hetherington has been promoted from the England Knights development squad after the 26-year-old helped Valkyrie to a domestic double.

She is joined in the squad by five club team-mates, including 2023 Woman of Steel Sinead Peach.

Wigan Warriors' Anna Davies is also in contention to make her international debut after being called up for the first time.

Barrow said: "I am really pleased to add Georgie and Anna to the squad to face Wales next Saturday.

"They've both had a fantastic season with their respective clubs and they've both progressed through England Knights which proves that the pathway is working."

Elsewhere in the squad, Georgia Roche returns to Headingley for the first time since moving from Leeds Rhinos to Australian side Newcastle Knights earlier this season.

Four current Rhinos players are in contention to feature at their home stadium - Keara Bennett, Amy Hardcastle, Zoe Hornby and Caitlin Beevers.

England squad

Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett (both Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos), Georgie Hetherington (York Valkyrie), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Tara Jones (St Helens), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors), Lacey Owen (York Valkyrie), Eboni Partington (St Helens), Sinead Peach (York Valkyrie), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Olivia Wood (York Valkyrie), Tara-Jane Stanley (York Valkyrie), Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield (both St Helens).