England's Shona Hoyle tries to latch onto a grubber kick but it's just gone out the back before she touches it on.

Another error from France, from a play-the-ball, then gives the hosts the ball straight back. The visitors are looking rather rusty today.

Eboni Partington, England's only debutant today, charges in off the right wing to halt the momentum from France's best attack yet.

France hooker Fanny Ramos then lets the ball slip from her grasp while looking to make a decisive pass to the visitors' right wing.

England get the ball back and earn a repeat set, before a high tackle by Cloe Guillerot on Hollie-Mae Dodd gives them another.

Unfortunately they spill possession just as they're about to mount another charge at the France goal-line.

Some respite for France now. Amy Hardcastle knocks on in the tackle to give the visitors possession near halfway.

Each side has the ball in hand before England put more pressure on the France line, with Leah Burke being held up over the line.

Margot Canal then spills a high kick towards the England right and the hosts will attack from the scrum.

England complete their first set and from the kick, the bounce catches out Margot Canal. It's another knock-on in the France in-goal area and another goal-line drop-out.

England's Tara-Jane Stanley gets us under way in Warrington - and France knock it on in their own in-goal area so England will get the ball straight back.

The national anthems are now being played at the Halliwell Jones, so kick-off will be a smidgeon after 14:00 BST

Jodie Cunningham has led out the England team at Warrington, fulfilling her schoolgirl dream. Fourteen years after making her debut, and a veteran of three World Cups, the 31-year-old captains England for the first time today.

While on the field she is spearheading England's build-up to the next World Cup in 2025, off it she is playing a vital role in shaping the whole future of women's rugby league.

"There were lots of emotions - excitement and pride, but then a little bit of anxiety as well," said Cunningham, recalling the moment she learned she was new coach Stuart Barrow's choice to skipper the team.

"It's an incredible group of girls with lots of experience and so many talented players, and it's me that's got to lead that group. But they will make the job easy and it's a massive honour."

England women's head coach Stuart Barrow, speaking to Sky Sports: “We’ve got a lot of girls from the World Cup, so we’ve got a lot of experience in the squad. We’ve had limited time together, but we’ve made that really productive.

“Because of the limited time we’ve had together, we’ve talked about the process. We know it’s going to be really physical against the French, it always is. Hopefully we’ll get over the top of that.”

On why Keara Bennett is starting at hooker rather than Sinead Peach: “Keara’s got a slightly better distribution and can play a little bit wider from nine, and that’s part of our game plan in the first half, and then Sinead will come on and have that directness and that running threat.

“We want to work the middle channels. We think France will defend quite tight in the tight six and so we’re looking to stretch that, open up some gaps and then when Sinead comes on, our hard-hitting forwards will exploit that hopefully.”

Romain Maillot, France women's head coach, speaking to Sky Sports: "The preparations have gone well. We have a new group and a young team but the group is doing very well. We are in good condition. It’s perfect.

"England are a big team. It’s a good test for us to assess our level, and we want to be prepared to beat them at the next World Cup at home."

England team: Tara-Jane Stanley, Eboni Partington, Tamzin Renouf, Amy Hardcastle, Leah Burke, Zoe Harris, Georgia Roche, Olivia Wood, Keara Bennett, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jodie Cunningham.

Interchange: Sinead Peach, Vicky Whitfield, Grace Field, Vicky Molyneux.

France: Manon Samarra, Perle Ramazeilles, Laureane Biville, Cloe Guillerot, Margot Canal, Mahault Pommier, Lauriane Canet, Ines Legout, Fanny Ramos, Nabila Zaghdoudi, Elisa Akpa, Tallis Kuresa, Dorine Samarra.

Interchange: Lise Michel, Sarah Menaa, Salome Segala, Justine Roses.

England have played France more than any other nation, 19 times since facing them in their first international in 2007.

And England have a pretty good record having won 18 of them and drawn the other (in 2015).

England won their last meeting, 36–10 in last year's mid-season international at Warrington, before France lost all three group games at the World Cup, although they did have eventual finalists Australia and New Zealand in their group.

On naming his first squad as England women's coach, Stuart Barrow said: "It has been a really difficult decision.

"The game against France will give the players an opportunity to get on the field and represent England against a team with a new coach and who are looking strong and fresh - it's a really exciting proposition for us.

"We have a good mix of experience in the squad, which should give us a good platform as we begin the journey to the next Rugby League World Cup in 2025."

Coach Craig Richards said after England's World Cup exit that the women's players need to turn professional if they are to close the gap on New Zealand and Australia.

And this summer, as well as Hollie-Mae Dodd and Georgia Roche, Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Wilson are also set to be playing in Australia, where the NRL women's competition is fully professional.

"I think it's really positive," said new England women's coach Stuart Barrow. "We put Australia on a pedestal, but they're actually looking at our players and saying that they can compete in the Women's NRL

"I have no doubt that all England players from the World Cup could go and play NRL tomorrow. It's exciting that they've come to look at our players.

"It's reaffirming some of our beliefs going forward. And for girls going over there it can only benefit them playing in that weekly competition. As an international coach I think it will be good for England in the long run."

Image source, Getty Images

This week coach Stuart Barrow named Australia-bound Georgia Roche and Hollie-Mae Dodd in his first England squad.

The pair are the first English women to sign professional rugby league contracts with clubs in Australia's National Rugby League.

Eight St Helens players have also been included in Barrow's 19-player squad while long-serving forward Jodie Cunningham will be captain for the first time, with her predecessor Emily Rudge also included.

After England's women were denied a first World Cup final appearance, coach Craig Richards said during an emotional post-match interview that he would be leaving his role.

In February, Stuart Barrow was named as Richards' successor while Shaun Wane extended his contract as men's coach until the conclusion of the 2025 World Cup.

Tom Coyd remains wheelchair head coach, having won the 2021 tournament.

Right after those semi-final setbacks it was confirmed that England's men and women would play France in mid-season internationals this April.

It is the third straight year they have played a double-header at Warrington mid-season, with the women playing at 14:00 BST and the men at 16:30.

The international governing body pledged to have finalised an end-of-season international programme by now, and last week it was announced that, for the first time, England's men will host Tonga in a three-match Test series in October and November.