Anna Davies earns England call up

England Women’s Rugby League Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, has added Wigan Warriors winger Anna Davies to his national performance squad.

27-year-old Davies joined the Warriors in 2021 from Bath Rugby Union and scored a hat-trick for Team GB Teachers against Wales in only her second game of Rugby League. Having impressed during her first two seasons with the Warriors, Davies was included in the first England Women’s Knights squad last year and will link up with the rest of the senior squad for training in Leeds this weekend. 

England Women Head Coach, Stuart Barrow, said: “Anna has continued to impress since making the move to Rugby League in 2021 and she has cemented herself as a key player for an improving Wigan Warriors in 2023, so her promotion from the Knights into the national performance squad is thoroughly deserved.

“Our preparations for the fixture against Wales this Autumn are well underway and there is still plenty of opportunity for other players to earn promotion into the squad.”

On the call up, Davies said: “I am really excited about the England call up. As a 4-year-old living in Australia, I remember watching Cathy Freeman win gold at the 2000 Olympics and deciding that I wanted be an Olympian.

“Although the dream has changed over the years, I feel close to the pinnacle of that; having the chance to represent my Country in the sport I’ve come to know and love.”

She added: “It’s definitely been a team effort and I have tried my best to always be willing to learn from those around me and make the most of the opportunities that I have been given. This is something I hope to continue to do as part of the England Senior squad.

“I hope, especially through my work coaching with the Community Foundation, that I can also inspire young girls and boys to dream and, by hard work and the help of others, to achieve those dreams.”

England Women return to action this Autumn against Wales at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 4 November – part of an international double header also featuring the Third Test Match of the Men’s series against Tonga. 

Tickets for the Headingley double-header, and for the first two Tests of the England Men versus Tonga series, are on sale now at eticketing.co.uk/rugbyleague from £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s. Those looking to book 10 tickets or more can save 30% on single matches, with prices from £17.50 for Adults and £8.75 for under 16s – available now via the Groups Sales team at groups@rlcommercial.co.uk or 0844 856 1115.