Kiana Takairangi
Cronulla Sharks winger on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Some great play by Kezie Apps - she saw a gap and went for it. Tiana scores a lot of tries, and she saw her opportunity and took it well.

Credit to England, they've not sat back after conceding that Julia Robinson try.

England work it laterally from one end to the other with plenty of tackles in their locker.

But Australia aren't leaving the door open and what was a promising attack eventually fizzles out.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

There was just a beautiful shift from right to left. Tarryn Aliken and Ali Brigginshaw just created space on the outside for Julia Robinson. The subtlety of play from Australia was beautiful to watch.

England make an attack into the Australia half early doors, having prospered from that penalty.

But it's so hard to get through that Jillaroos defensive line and Australia hold firm.

Matthew Elliott
Former Bradford Bulls head coach on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Potent first set from the Aussies. They went 65 metres. England can't afford to give away that sort of ground too often.

A reminder that under NRLW rules, this evening's Test will be 70 minutes long, comprising two 35-minute halves.

Georgie Dagger receives a high kick on the turnover and soon after a high tackle on Anna Davies results in a penalty to England in their own half.

Right then, we are under way at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

England kick us off and Australia receive possession.

A first meeting since 2017 between these two sides. We're in for a treat.

Here are tonight's line-ups for this Test in Las Vegas.

As expected, Georgie Dagger returns to for England at full-back having missed out on the win against Wales at the tail end of 2024.

Meanwhile, Tamzin Renouf and Georgia Roche come in as the Lionesses make three changes.

England: Dagger; Partington, Renouf, Hardcastle, Davies; Harris, Roche; Wood, Bennett, Hoyle, Dodd, Travis, Cunningham.

Interchanges: Mottershead, Whitfield, Sykes, Northrop.

Australia: Upton; Whitfield, Kelly, Penitani, Robinson; Brigginshaw, Aiken; Mato, Higgins, Apps, Kernick, Clydsdale, Taufa.

Interchanges: Dodd, Sergis, Togatuki, Joseph.

Image source, Getty Images

In case you missed it, Wigan kicked off the 2025 edition of Rugby League Las Vegas with a thumping win against Warrington.

The reigning Super League champions underlined their credentials as serious title contenders again this season with an impressive win over the Wire at Allegiant Stadium.

A repeat of last season's Challenge Cup final provided plenty of points in the first Super League game to be played in the United States, with a whopping 12 tries scored and not a single kick missed between either side.

You can read the report of that game here.

Image source, SWPix

No English or British women's side has beaten Australia since 2002.

So it's no wonder England centre Amy Hardcastle has said beating Australia would be a "game-changer" for women's rugby league in England.

The Jillaroos are the dominant force in the international game, winning the past three World Cups and losing just once since 2016.

That strength is also evident at club level, where the level of investment in the NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW) allows for a mixture of full-time and semi-professional players - while their counterparts in England's Women's Super League play either for expenses or for free.

It means Australia are strong favourites going into tonight's Test against England in Las Vegas.

All teams involved in Rugby League Las Vegas have used the UFC's Performance Institute as a training hub this week.

It has been a mixing pot of methodologies and learning this week according to those who work at the facility - and parallels have been drawn between fighting and rugby league.

"It's always great to get other sporting codes to be around our athletes so they can see how others prepare," senior vice president of performance at the UFC Dr Duncan French told the BBC.

"There's a lot of synergy between rugby league and fighting, particularly with the demand on the body and there's a huge psychology component going into tackling or wrestling takedowns.

"The guys and girls have been sharing ideas and how they train. The brand of the UFC is strong in rugby and the teams coming in are all fans of the UFC so it's been a great week for everybody."

Image source, SWPix

An England debut. Player of the match in a winning Grand Final and being named Woman of Steel.

It's been quite a 12 months for Georgie Dagger, who has also got married during that time as well.

In fact she could have made a second international appearance were it not for her nuptials clashing with England's 82-0 win over Wales in Leeds.

At the start of the 2025 season however, the reigning Woman of Steel is in Las Vegas and ready to pick up where she left off.

You can read about Dagger's breakthrough 12 months here.

Talk about an entrance.

Wigan, Warrington and England's women received a warm welcome from a raucous Las Vegas crowd earlier this week.

You can watch the entrance the squads on Fremont Street made below.

Image source, Julie Cronin

Funding battles, scrambles for flights and accommodation, a tour manager carrying £29,000 in a briefcase, disappearing kit and emotional calls home.

Almost 30 years on, the story of Great Britain's trip to Australia is the stuff of legend.

Women's rugby league has come a long way since 1996 but the story of that tour lives on.

You can read all about it here.

Image source, SWPix

Wondering why England are facing Australia in Las Vegas of all places? And why there was a Super League game there earlier?

I've got you covered with this explainer as to why they're in the United States and what Rugby League Las Vegas is all about.

Click here to give it a read.

Hello again.

Rugby League Las Vegas continues and now the international game hits the big stage at the Allegiant Stadium.

England's Lionesses will face Australia's Jillaroos for the first time since the 2017 World Cup.

The fixture is primed to help women's rugby league develop, however England will be hoping to do better than the 38-0 thrashing they were handed the last time they met Australia.

Can England bridge the gap to the Jillaroos? Or are the Lionesses in for another defeat?

Kick-off is fast approaching.