The players are out on the pitch at Headingley.

Ahead of Remembrance Sunday next weekend, both coaches laid a wreath of poppies on the pitch before The Last Post was played and a minute's silence was observed.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Headingley, Leeds

Image source, PA Media

It's almost exactly a year since England's women thrashed Wales 60-0 at Headingley.

So what can we expect today? In the likes of Bethan Dainton (Leeds Rhinos), Gracie Hobbs (Huddersfield Giants), Carys Marsh (Wigan Warriors), Dani McGifford (St.Helens), Ashlea Prescott (Featherstone Rovers), and Georgia Taylor (York Valkyrie) there is a sprinkling of Women's Super League talent in the Wales squad.

And the Welsh have already beaten Ireland and the Netherlands this year to create a little bit of history by qualifying for their first ever Women's World Cup, in 2026.

Quite some going, three years on from their first full international, when they faced England.

However, this afternoon will provide head coach Tom Brindle with the chance to measure his side's progress against one of the powers in the women's game.

Wales head coach, Tom Brindle, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "We’ve got a plan that takes us towards the World Cup and this is the first step towards seeing if the work we’re putting in is starting to materialise. It gives us a better idea of what we need to do to make sure we’re competing in 2026."

On taking on England: "England are a fantastic team. Their resources are quite significant and the Women’s Super League is continuing to get better year on year in all facets, so more people, more talented young girls. Stu [Barrow] has obviously picked a young squad to reflect that.

"We know they’re going to be fit. We know they’re going to be strong. We know they’re going to be well coached. So we know we’ve got to compete and be at the best of our game to be able to go toe-to-toe with them. That’s our challenge this weekend. We understand the differences. We understand the resources, and we know we’re underdogs in this regard. But the ultimate thing for us is that we can compete."

Image source, Getty Images

England women's head coach, Stuart Barrow, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "There are a lot of exciting youngsters playing in the game. It’s about managing the expectations of those youngsters as well, because they all want to get to the top really quickly. So it’s managing that.

"They’re competing with each other. They’re not just replacing the older ones, who are there and have been established in the squad. It’s really exciting to see the talent coming through. And they are standing on the shoulders of giants, in the likes of Jodie Cunningham and Amy Hardcastle.

On Wales: "I think it’ll be stronger than it’s ever been before. They’ve qualified for the World Cup. They’ve played some games now, which has enabled them to do that. They’ve really improved on their performances.

"They’ve got players such as Beth Dainton, who missed out last year, from Leeds, who’s a captain and a really influential player, somebody I really admire. They’ve also attracted some more Super League players into their squad because of the World Cup in 2026. They’ve trained a lot over the past five weeks so I’m expecting a really solid performance against us on Saturday."

Vicky Molyneux
Former England International on BBC Two

Today might not be the win Wales are looking for, but they are looking to follow the game-plan and they're looking to build towards the World Cup.

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport at Headingley, Leeds

Image source, SWpix

The hosts have put 152 points on Wales in their three previous meetings, while conceding only six in return.

However, England captain Jodie Cunningham reckons this will be a much tighter contest and when I caught up with her recently she told me that "Wales will pose a much bigger challenge than everyone expects."

She added: "Wales' first ever test was only in 2021 and despite it being a fairly blow-away score they actually competed and that was a lot of girls who had barely played a lot of rugby league because they were union converts.

“They’ve been playing regularly now and are really well coached by Tom Brindle, who knows they need a competitive team. They have various girls who have put their hand up that a playing in the Women's Super League with Welsh heritage. I think they will be a really good challenge for us."

As ever, we are keen to hear from you on all matters rugby league - are you attending this game today? Doing the double header? We are keen to see your pictures if so, hopefully wrapped up warm.

Get in touch using the details above.

BBC Two

As well as my waffling, you can watch this match live on BBC Two - the build-up is already under way.

You can either click the 'Watch Live' button at the top of this page, visit BBC Sounds, or do it the old fasioned way and tune in to BBC Two on your telly box.

Dani McGifford makes her debut in a Wales line-up looking to round off in style a year that brought Women's World Cup qualification for the first time.

McGifford, born in Crewe, qualifies for Wales through her family, and was a successful heptathlete before switching to rugby league.

Leeds Rhinos' Beth Dainton captains Wales on her club home ground this afternoon.

Wales: Burnell, McGifford, Wood, Prescott, Davies, Parker, Whittaker, Hughes, Marsh, Carr, H Jones, Taylor, Dainton.

Interchange: Gibbons, Price, Jenkins, S Jones.

18th player: Hobbs.

Image source, @WalesRugbyL

Amelia Brown and Erin Stott make their England debuts from the start, with Izzy Northrop set to make hers from the bench.

Huddersfield Giants full-back Brown, 20, scored 13 tries in the Women's Super League last term, having previously played as a winger.

Leeds Rhinos prop Northrop and St Helens centre Stott were both called up for the summer Test against France, but weren't included in the matchday squad on that occasion.

Hollie-Mae Dodd makes her first England appearance since leaving York Valkyrie for Canberra Raiders in 2023.

England: Brown, Partington, Stott, Hardcastle, Davies, Harris, Rowe, Wood, Bennett, Hoyle, Dodd, Travis, Cunningham.

Interchange: Mottershead, Whitfield, Sykes, Northrop.

18th player: Coleman.

Image source, @EnglandRL

Image source, SWpix

Welcome to our live text coverage of the women's rugby league international between England and Wales at Headingley.

This is the first game of a double-header in Leeds, with the men's match between England and Samoa to follow. That kicks off at 14.30 GMT.

So strap in ready for what should hopefully be a fine afternoon of sporting action.