Kyle Amor
Ireland and St Helens prop on BBC Two

England need to be a bit more clinical, twice now the ball has come to the left and gone out into touch.

Looking ahead to the World Cup next year, playing against the likes of Australia and New Zealand you have to take those opportunities.

England earn a penalty about 10 metres out and this is a great chance, but Jodie Cunningham is wrapped up superbly by a blue shirt. The visitors manage to squeeze it out wide but the pass it too long and goes dead.

Alice Varela bundles into a sea of white shirts as France come forward on halfway, but there's a knock-on as the hosts try to move it quickly and that relieves any pressure building on England.

Strong running from Fran Goldthorp to carry the ball back into French territory, England are making ground on each tackle. The kick is good too from Jodie Cunningham and France are forced beyond their own try line.

Andrea Dobson
Former England captain on BBC Two

Both sides need to find a bit of composure and settle into the game a little bit.

That's twice France have given England possession back with errors deep in their own half, eventually the hosts get some ball in hand when England repay the favour.

Chance for England to put some early pressure on but Vicky Molyneux is driven back by the French defence. Jodie Cunningham slips a neat offload into Emily Rudge's path and she hits the gap before being hauled down. Good first set from the visitors.

Kyle Amor
Ireland and St Helens prop on BBC Two

The earlier to can get into the game the better. You want to start well for your country.

Away we go!

Tara Stanley gets things under way for England.

Time for the anthems, a belting rendition from England in the Perpignan sunshine.

France: Elisa Ciria; Christina Song Puche, Melanie Bianchini, Zoe Pastre Courtine, Manon Samarra; Elodie Pacull, Alice Varela; Jeanne Bernard, Cyndia Mansard, Gaelle Alvherne, Elisa Akpa, Laureane Biville, Leila Bessahli.

Interchange: Fanny Ramos, Mailys Borak, Ines Legout, Tallis Kuresa, Lauriane Canet, Nadia Olm Rouppert, Perrine Montsarrat.

England: Tara-Jane Stanley (Castleford Tigers), Fran Goldthorp (Leeds Rhinos), Savannah Andrade (York City Knights), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Beth Stott (St Helens), Grace Field (York City Knights), Tara Jones (St Helens), Chantelle Crowl (St Helens), Emily Rudge (St Helens - Captain), Hollie Dodd (Castleford Tigers), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors)

Interchanges: Shona Hoyle (Huddersfield Giants), Paige Travis (St Helens), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Rachael Woosey (St Helens).

These games are being played on the day the Rugby League World Cup 2021 should have kicked off, with England originally scheduled to play Samoa at St James' Park in Newcastle.

But that tournament has now been put back to next year following the withdrawal of Australia and New Zealand after they cited Covid concerns.

Today is also Shaun Wane's first official Test match in charge of England men's side, having overseen the 26-24 defeat by the Combined All Stars back in June.

England coach Craig Richards on BBC Two: "We are very excited, after the disappointment of the World Cup being postponed it is great to come to France and test ourselves against what we expect to be a strong team. It's a chance to see where we are in our progression."

If anyone knows what pressure means going into England women's rugby league Test match with France at the weekend, then it is St Helens centre Amy Hardcastle.

Hardcastle is frontline NHS staff, working in Accident & Emergency at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax throughout the pandemic. That has been real pressure.

As such, running out onto the field in Perpignan, representing your country in a sport you love, will be a welcome distraction.

"It's still quite demanding," Hardcastle told the BBC Rugby League podcast. "It's the season for kids being poorly, there's a bug going round and we're still getting Covid patients through.

"Staff are struggling mentally, but you've got to crack on. Work pays the bills and fortunately I'm still in a job."

In fact, the only thing that does bother Hardcastle, is getting there.

"I've had my [fear of flying] therapy a few weeks ago, but I'm not sure it's worked," she laughed. "I'm not looking forward to it, I'm not going to lie.

"I'll probably be holding Craig's [Richards - coach] hand or something on the flight."

Image source, ERL

England coach Craig Richards has handed debuts to York City Knights' Savannah Andrade and St Helens' Rachael Woosey for today's Test against France.

Emily Rudge will captain the side in her 24th England appearance.

"It's great to have both Savannah and Rachael named to make their debuts this weekend," said Richards.

"Savannah has worked really hard to get herself this opportunity with performances on the field and her attitude away from it.

"Rachael has impressed since signing for St Helens and has earned her place in the team this weekend."

Fran Goldthorp, Beth Stott, Hollie Dodd and Paige Travis are all included after making their international debuts in England's 60-0 victory over Wales at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in June.

Morning!

We've got an international rugby league double-header coming right up for you from the Stade Gilbert Brutus in Perpignan, as England enter the Dragons' den...

First up, the women's team face France at 12:00 BST and then the men's sides go head-to-head at 14:30. And it's all live on BBC TV.