England 36-10 France: Amy Hardcastle and Georgia Roche claim two tries apiece
- Published
St Helens' Amy Hardcastle now has 22 tries in as many games for England
Mid-season international |
|---|
England (16) 36 |
Tries: Dodds, Beevers, Hardcastle 2, Roche 2, Goldthorp Goals: Stanley 4 |
France (4) 10 |
Tries: Song Puche, Ramos Goals: Ciria |
England women overcame France 36-10 in their final match before hosting the delayed World Cup this autumn.
The hosts led 16-4 at the break with tries from Hollie Dodd, Caitlin Beevers and Amy Hardcastle, while Cristina Song-Puche responded for France.
But England then took control with Hardcastle bulldozing over for her second try, Georgia Roche also crossing twice and Fran Goldthorp darting over.
France pulled a try back when Fanny Ramos stretched over in the corner.
England begin the tournament against Brazil at Headingley on 1 November.
World number five-ranked France, meanwhile, come up against New Zealand in their opener in York on the following day.
Craig Richards' side will be buoyed by the debut of former Australia cricketer Courtney Winfield-Hill, who qualifies to play for England on residency rules.
The Leeds Rhinos skipper, 35, displayed her leadership by directing her team-mates around the pitch and provided the assist for Beevers' effort, as well as being instrumental in the build-up to Hardcastle's second try.
The match was the first of a double-header taking place at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, with the men's side beating the Combined Nations All Stars 18-4 later on Saturday.
Line-ups
England: Stanley, Burke, Goldthorp, Hardcastle, Beevers, Winfield-Hill, Roche, Field, Jones, Wood, Dodd, Rudge, Cunningham.
Interchanges: Hoyle, Bennett, Travis, Whitfield.
France: Akpa, M. Samarra, Canal, Biville, Puche, Varela, Ciria, Bessahli, Nontsarrat, Menaa, Pacull, Mansard, Alvherne.
Interchanges: Borak, D. Samarra, Fourcroy, Ramos.
Sin-bin: Pacull (44).