Great Britain women's national rugby league team

The Great Britain women's national rugby league team, also known as the Great Britain Lionesses, represents Great Britain in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the Rugby Football League. The Great Britain Lionesses have placed third in every Women's Rugby League World Cup in which they have competed.[1] In 2006, the RFL announced that after the 2007 All Golds Tour the Great Britain team would no longer compete on a regular basis, and that players would be able to represent England, Wales and Scotland at Test level. It is planned that the Great Britain team will come together in future only for occasional tours, same as the Great Britain Lions.

For the men's team, see Great Britain national rugby league team.
Great Britain Lionesses
Team information
NicknameThe Lionesses
Governing bodyRugby Football League
RegionEurope
Uniforms
First colours
Team results
World Cup
Appearances2 (first time in 2000)
Best resultRunner's Up 2000

Results
DateOpponentScoreTournamentVenueVideoReport(s)
21 Jul 1996 Australia
14–16
3 Test Series Phillip Oval, Canberra[2][3]
28 Jul 1996 Australia
18–12
Gilbert Park, Brisbane—
3 Aug 1996 Australia
20–18
Redfern Oval, Sydney[4][5]
23 Aug 1998 New Zealand
6–28
3 Test Series Pukatwhero Park, Rotorua—[6][7]
29 Aug 1998 New Zealand
0–44
Rugby League Park, Christchurch—[8][9][10]
4 Sep 1998 New Zealand
2–38
Carlaw Park, Auckland—[11][12]
7 Nov 2000 New Zealand
12–22
2000 WRLWC Rugby Ground, Orrell, Greater Manchester—[13][14]
14 Nov 2000 Australia
14–10
Rams Stadium, Dewsbury[15][16][17][18]
21 Nov 2000 Australia
4–0
The Jungle, Castleford—[19]
24 Nov 2000 New Zealand
4–26
Wilderspool, Warrington[20][21]
14 Jul 2002 Australia
26–16
3 Test Series Wentworthville Oval—[22]
20 Jul 2002 Australia
10–14
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane—[23]
27 Jul 2002 Australia
5–14
Bruce Stadium, Canberra, ACT—[24][25]
28 Sep 2003 Samoa
28–12
2003 WRLWC North Harbour Stadium—[26]
2 Oct 2003 Tonga
54–0
North Harbour Stadium—[27]
4 Oct 2003 Māori
8–10
North Harbour Stadium—[28]
6 Oct 2003 Cook Islands
20–20
North Harbour Stadium—[29][30]
10 Oct 2003 New Zealand
0–38
North Harbour Stadium—[31]

Notes:

  • A Great Britain women's rugby league team toured France in 1989 but played only touch football games against French women. They did play a tackle match against a men's Under 21 team, losing 4–10.[32][33]
  • There is a possibility that women's internationals were played between Great Britain and France between the 2000 and 2003 World Cups. The 2000 World Cup programme lists previous Test series occurring between 1995 and 1999.[33] An article previewing the 2007 match between England and France mentions that it was the first international to be played by an English or Great Britain side since the 2003 World Cup.[34]
  • Since the mid-2000s, English players have competed internationally as England.

History

1996 Tour of Australia

The Great Britain Lionesses toured Australia for the first time in 1996. The team was captained by Lisa McIntosh, with Brenda Dobek as vice-captain.[35] Ian Harris (Hull) was head coach with Jackie Sheldon as assistant coach. Nikki Carter (Hull Vixens) was tour manager.[36] Paula Clark (York) was the touring team's physiotherapist.

Great Britain lost the inaugural Test Match against Australia, but won both of the subsequent two Test Matches to claim a two-one series victory.[35]

1996 Tour of Australia
Date Opponent Score Venue Notes
16 July 1996 Sydney Select XIII
86-0
Redfern Oval, Sydney Tour match
18 July 1996 Australian Capital Territory
36-0
Steinfield Oval, Canberra Tour match
21 July 1996 Australia
14–16
Phillip Oval, Canberra First Test
24 July 1996 Queensland XIII
22-8
Gilbert Park, Brisbane Tour match
28 July 1996 Australia
18-12
Gilbert Park, Brisbane Second Test
31 July 1996 Presidents XIII
30-0
Cunningham Oval, Sydney Tour match
3 August 1996 Australia
20-18
Redfern Oval, Sydney Third Test

The playing group consisted of captain Lisa McIntosh (Dudley Hill, squad number 13), vice-captain Brenda Dobek (Wakefield Panthers, squad number 6) and the following: 16. Jill Adams (Redhill), 17. Jane Banks (Wigan St Patricks), 1. Sharon Birkenhead (Redhill), 4. Karen Burrows (Redhill), 5. Wendy Charnley (Rochdale), 20. Julie Cronin (York), 22. Lucy Ferguson (Wakefield Panthers), 7. Mandy Green (Dudley Hill), 18. Nicki Harrison (Dudley Hill), 21. Joanne Hewson (Askam), 15. Lisa Hunter (Hull), 23. Allison Kitchin (Barrow), 3. Liz Kitchin (Barrow), 9. Michelle Land (Wakefield Panthers), 25. Sally Milburn (Askam), 8. Donna Parker (Hull Vixens), 2. Chantel Patricks (Dudley Hill), 24. Samantha Pearson (Dudley Hill), 26. Joanne Roberts (Wakefield Panthers), 11. Lucia Scott (Rochdale), 14. Vicky Studd (Dudley Hill), 19. Paula Tunnicliffe (Rochdale), 12. Sandra Wade (Barrow) and 1. Joanna Will (Wakefield Panthers).

1998 Tour of New Zealand

The Great Britain Lionesses toured New Zealand for the first time in 1998. The team was captained by Lisa McIntosh and coached by Jackie Sheldon.[32]

1998 Tour of New Zealand
Date Opponent Score Venue Notes
16 August 1998 New Zealand Maori
32–4
Auckland Tour match[37]
19 August 1998 Auckland
20–18
Carlaw Park, Auckland Tour match[38][39]
23 August 1998 New Zealand
6–28
Pukatwhero Park, Rotorua First Test[6]
26 August 1998 Canterbury
20–0
Christchurch Tour match[40]
29 August 1998 New Zealand
0–44
Rugby League Park, Christchurch Second Test[8]
4 September 1998 New Zealand
2–38
Carlaw Park, Auckland Third Test[11]

2002 Tour of Australia

In 2002 Great Britain Lionesses toured Australia with sponsorship from Munchies.[41][42][43]

2002 Tour of Australia
Date Opponent Score Venue Notes
14 July 2002 Australian Jillaroos
26–16
Wentworthville Oval, Sydney 1st Test
17 July 2002 Queensland
50–10
Brothers Leagues Club Ground, Ipswich Tour match[44]
20 July 2002 Australian Jillaroos
10–14
ANZ Stadium, Brisbane 2nd Test
23 July 2002 Canberra/ACT
72–0
Seiffert Oval, Queanbeyan Tour match[45]
27 July 2002 Australian Jillaroos
5–14
Bruce Stadium, Canberra 3rd Test

The playing group, captained by Lisa McIntosh (Bradford Thunderbirds), consisted of Samantha Bailey (Sheffield), Jane Banks (Bradford), Nicola Benstead (Hull Dockers), Teresa Bruce (Bradford Thunderbirds), Sue Cochrane (Wakefield Panthers), Brenda Dobek (Wakefield Panthers), Becky Jones (Hillside Hawks), Alexandra Knight (Keighley), Michelle Land (Wakefield Panthers), Paula McCourt (Wakefield Panthers), Sally Millburn (Barrow), Nikki O'Donnell (Hull Dockers), Natalie Parsons (Bradford Thunderbirds), Chantel Patrick (Bradford Thunderbirds), Nicholette Postlethwaite (Wigan Ladies), Donna Prime (Hull Dockers), Debbie Rice (Hull Dockers), Kirsty Robinson (Bradford Thunderbirds), Amy Robinson (Hull Dockers), Nicola Simpson (Milford Storm), Rebecca Stevens (Sheffield), Danni Titterington (Wakefield Panthers), Gemma Walsh (Wakefield Panthers) and Rachael Wilson (Wakefield Panthers).[35]

The team was coached by Jackie Sheldon, with John Mitchell (Bradford Thunderbirds) and Dylan Reynard (Milford) serving as assistant coaches. The touring party was managed by Roland Davis and Andrew McDonald (Keighley). Elaine Kirton (Whitehaven) was on tour as physiotherapist.[35]

2010s

A 2015 Great Britain Lionesses tour of Australasia was approved by the RLIF, however did not occur.
During the decade, England women's teams visited France for away matches, travelled to Australia for the 2017 World Cup and in 2019 toured Papua New Guinea and participated in a four-team international nines competition.

See also

References
  1. "Roar like the Lionesses". BBC. 2002-07-11. Retrieved 2015-07-14.
  2. "1996 Aust vs GB Womens RL Test Match". YouTube. Jenny Luker. 31 Oct 2019. Retrieved 15 Jun 2021.
  3. Hardy, Karen (22 Jul 1996). "Brits pay ultimate penalty". Canberra Times. p. 25.
  4. "Women's Rugby League - Australia vs Great Britain 3rd Test 1996". YouTube. Rabbitohs TV. 24 Jun 2021 [1996]. Retrieved 24 Apr 2022.
  5. Bell, Cameron (4 Aug 1996). "Aussie Girls Tackle Great Britain in Test of Courage". Daily Telegraph. p. 61.
  6. "Kiwis dent Lionesses' pride". The Press (Christchurch). 24 Aug 1998. p. 15.
  7. "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week. Sydney: Bauer Media Group (26/08/1998).
  8. Smith, Tony (29 Aug 1998). "Series win motivation for dual international". The Press (Christchurch). p. 30.
  9. "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week. Sydney: Bauer Media Group (2/09/1998).
  10. "Kiwi Ferns take second test over GB". Sunday Star. 30 Aug 1998. p. 9.
  11. "Ferns complete whitewash". The Press (Christchurch). 7 Sep 1998. p. 30.
  12. "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week. Sydney: Bauer Media Group (9/09/1998).
  13. "Endacott hints at changes to squad". The Press (Christchurch). 9 Nov 2000. p. 35.
  14. "Opening defeat for Great Britain". North Yorkshire County Publications. 8 Nov 2000.
  15. "Great Britain & Ireland vs Australia Womens Rugby League World Cup 2000". YouTube. NZ RugbyLeagueVids. 15 Jun 2020 [2000]. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  16. "2000 Aust vs GB Womens RL World Cup". YouTube. Jenny Luker. 13 Nov 2019 [2000]. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  17. Hadfield, Dave (15 Nov 2000). "Rugby League: Dobek try results in rare Australia defeat GB and Ireland women 14 Australia women 10". The Independent (London). p. 27.
  18. Butcher, Tim (20 Nov 2000). "Late Glory for Lionesses". League Express. p. 26.
  19. Dianne, Hillaby (22 Nov 2000). "Michelle makes her mark as Brits shine". North Yorkshire County Publications.
  20. "Great Britain & Ireland Women vs New Zealand 2000 Rugby League World Cup final". YouTube. NZ RugbyLeagueVids. 24 May 2020 [2000]. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  21. Hadfield, Dave (25 Nov 2000). "Rugby League: Hina too strong for battling Britain". The Independent (London). p. 23.
  22. "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 Oct 2002. p. 7.
  23. "Poms Pipped". Sunday Mail. Brisbane: Courier Mail News Limited. 21 July 2002. p. 130.
  24. Simmons, Royce. "League Week ranks Round 22 matches". Rugby League Week. Sydney: Bauer Media Group (7/08/2002): 40.
  25. deKroo, Karl (28 July 2002). "Australian women win in tight Test". Canberra Times. Canberra: Fairfax.
  26. "Scoreboard". Rugby League Week. Sydney: Bauer Media Group (1/10/2003).
  27. Gillan, Gordon (2 Oct 2003). "Kiwi Ferns face onslaught". New Zealand Herald. p. 15.
  28. "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 Oct 2003. p. 8.
  29. "Sport results". The Press (Christchurch). 7 Oct 2003. p. 4.
  30. "Women's Rugby League". Rugby League Review. 1 Nov 2003. p. 8.
  31. "Results". The Press (Christchurch). 13 Oct 2003. p. 4.
  32. "Women out to rattle bones, not buckets". Times (London). 14 Aug 1998.
  33. rugbee.com Women's Rugby League World Series 2000 Official Programme. Harold Lacey Publications. 2000.
  34. "England squad for womens [sic] Rugby League International". Sport Focus. 1 Jul 2007. Retrieved 27 Oct 2021.
  35. "Brenda Dobek". Women in Rugby League. 12 Jan 2020. Retrieved 22 Mar 2021.
  36. "Nikki Carter". Women in Rugby League. 24 May 2020. Retrieved 7 Apr 2021.
  37. "Lionesses band together". Daily Telegraph. 17 Aug 1998. p. 31.
  38. "Sporting Digest: Rugby League". The Independent (London). 20 Aug 1998.
  39. "League win to Britain". The Press (Christchurch). 20 Aug 1998. p. 25.
  40. Coffey, John (27 Aug 1998). "Lionesses defend turf against Canty assault". The Press (Christchurch). p. 22.
  41. "Australia win series against Lionesses". Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  42. "Great Britain Lionesses tour against AWRL". Archived from the original on 2014-02-28. Retrieved 2014-02-24.
  43. "UK: Nestlé Rowntree to sponsor Women's Rugby League team". Justfood. 18 June 2002. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  44. Greaney, Jonathan (19 Jul 2002). "Girls help set new record". Rochdale Observer.
  45. "Lionesses roar against totally outclassed ACT". Canberra Times. 25 Jul 2002. p. 20.
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