France will prepare for the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Cup by hosting traditional rivals England and an historic international against Nigeria.

Under the coaching of Alan Walsh for the first time, France - ranked No.4 on the IRL World Rankings - will play No.3 ranked England in Toulouse on Saturday, July 25 (kick-off 4pm local time)

The match will be staged alongside the Toulouse-Catalans Super League match at Stade Ernest Wallon.

France will then host Nigeria on Saturday August 1 at Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan (kick off 4pm local time), alongside the Catalans-Wakefield Super League match.

New France Head Coach Alan Walsh said: “It’s very exciting times for women’s rugby league in France, with Catalans Women playing in the Challenge Cup, plus the two Test matches and a World Cup in the southern hemisphere.

“We're looking forward to playing England to see where we are at in our preparations for the World Cup and it will be a great experience for us to play one of the top three teams in the world.

“Playing Nigeria will also be a tough test as they will have their heritage players flying in from the Uk and Australia for the game so again it’s an excellent way to prepare for the World Cup”. 

The international against Nigeria will be the first time France has played the African nation.

The match is being played as part of reciprocal arrangement in which Nigeria will host France in 2027.

FFRXIII President Dominique Baloup added:  "On August 1, 2026, in Perpignan, the French Women's Rugby League team will play a major match against Nigeria, as part of its preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

“This confrontation promises to be demanding against a Nigerian team that is booming, athletic, committed and now recognised on the international scene. For our Blues, it is a high-level sporting event, essential to further raise our standards and affirm our ambitions as the World Cup approaches.

“Beyond the performance stakes, this match carries a broader meaning. It is fully in line with France's desire to actively contribute to the development of women's rugby league on a global scale. By multiplying international confrontations, opening up the game to new nations and promoting these matches, we are helping to structure our discipline in the long term.

“The France-Nigeria match illustrates this dual ambition: to prepare our national team for the World Cup as well as possible, while supporting the growth of a more visible, competitive and more universal women's rugby league. Perpignan, a land of history and passion for our sport, will offer an ideal setting for this event.

“We know we can count on the enthusiasm of the public to support our players and give this match all the scope it deserves.

“On August 1st, it is both a French team focused on performance and a Union committed to the future of women's rugby league that will take the stage.”

The announcement of the France-England international fixture coincides with the start of the Women’s Super League and will provide both nations with a World Cup warm-up.

England play Wales and Australia in Perth on October 17 and October 24 before travelling to Wollongong to face Samoa, while France play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on October 17, New Zealand in Christchurch on October 25 and Fiji at the Gold Coast on October 31

England Head Coach Stuart Barrow commented: “We’re very much looking forward to travelling to France in July. The timing of this fixture gives us a great opportunity to assess where we are as a squad just a few months out from the World Cup.

“I’m expecting France to be well coached and a tough opponent, but this is exactly what we’ll need as we head into yet another pivotal year for the women’s game”.

For Nigeria, the international against France is an opportunity test themselves against a strong European nation after losing the final of the World Series to Fiji, who claimed the eighth and final Women’s World Cup berth.

Nigeria beat Ireland in the semi-final of the inaugural World Series in Canada; the Green Hornets’ first match outside of Africa.

Nigeria Rugby League Association Vice-Chairman Ade Adebisi added: “Facing France is a significant moment for our women’s programme and a reflection of how far we’ve come in a short space of time.

“This match is about continuing to build belief and giving our players the experience of competing against one of Europe’s strongest nations.

“After our World Series campaign, we’ve seen the level required at the top, and this is another important step in closing that gap. We’re proud to represent Nigeria on this stage and excited about what this opportunity means for the growth of women’s rugby league back home.”

The Green Hornets played an Africa All Stars team on the weekend, with players drawn from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Ivory Coast, as well as Nigeria.

NRLA Director of High Performance & International Competitions Luke Shearman commented: “This fixture is a huge milestone, not just for our athletes but for the broader vision of Nigeria Rugby League. Creating international opportunities like this is critical to accelerating development and showcasing the talent coming out of Nigeria.

“The reciprocal agreement with France also highlights the strength of collaboration between emerging and established nations. We’re building something long term and matches like this play a key role in inspiring the next generation while strengthening our pathway towards future World Cups.”

France v England
Saturday 25th July
1600hrs Kick Off
Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse

France v Nigeria
Saturday 1st August
1600hrs Kick Off
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan