Viva Las Vegas!
England Women will come head-to-head against world champions Australia Jillaroos for the first time since 2017 this weekend at the impressive setting of the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas (KO 6:00pm PST / 2am GMT March 2).
Having only faced one another on three occasions previously, Saturday will see the two nations meet for the first time since the 2017 World Cup where the Jillaroos secured a resounding 38-0 victory.
Since that day eight years ago both sides have made significant strides forward and the neutral-ground showdown promises to be a thrilling test of England’s development and ability to challenge the champions of the world.
Three players for that lineup in 2017 were named as part of the 20-player travelling squad earlier this month – Amy Hardcastle, Shona Hoyle and captain Jodie Cunningham – with the remaining 17 preparing to face the Jillaroos for the very first time in their international careers.
It’s a similar story for the opposition with many of their star players including Olivia Kerncik, Tamika Upton and Yasmin Clydsdale having all made their Jillaroos debuts since the last meeting.
The Jillaroos have continued to dominate the international game since the inception of the NRLW in 2018 including their latest triumph in the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup.
The brilliance of Tarryn Aiken and the brutality of their defence led them to a 24-4 win over the Kiwi Ferns back in November. The victory rounded out a dominant month in which the Jillaroos outscored their Pacific Championships rivals to the tune of 122-4.
England’s final outing before heading to the desert was a dominant 82-0 victory against Wales at AMT Headingley Stadium and Stuart Barrow's squad have been meeting twice a month since December in preparation of this epic showdown.
England Women versus the Australian Jillaroos will be the penultimate match of a quadruple header featuring a Super League clash between Wigan Warriors and Warrington Wolves and two NRL matches - Raiders v Warriors and Panthers v Sharks.
All four matches will be shown live on Sky Sports – with England v Australia kicking off at 2am UK time.
Rugby League Las Vegas Festival 2025 – Saturday March 1
- Betfred Super League – Wigan Warriors v Warrington Wolves (1:30pm PST / 9:30pm GMT)
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NRL – Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors (4:00pm PST / Midnight GMT)
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Test Match - Australian Jillaroos vs England Women (6:00pm PST / 2am GMT March 2)
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NRL – Penrith Panthers vs Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (8:30pm PST / 4:30am GMT March 2)
England Women Las Vegas travelling squad:
Jas Bell (York Valkyrie), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Georgie Dagger (York Valkyrie), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Izzy Northrop (Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Erin Stott (St Helens), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Paige Travis (Parramatta Eels), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie)
