England Women’s coach Steve McCormack has high expectations for his first Test in charge of the national side when they take on France on Friday June 15 at Odsal, Bradford (4.30pm). Friday’s international will be the first for the England Women since the two-match series win against France last year and McCormack is wary of the threat posed by their opponents.

“France will be a good side,” said McCormack. “I think any national team coming across the Channel will give you a tough game. They will be physical, well drilled and they will be brutal at times like we expect them to be, but that is what test matches are all about. I am concentrating on our preparation and the girls know they are in for a tough match.”

The England Women’s match is part of a double-header that also sees England Academy play France, just a day before England and England Knights take on the Exiles and Ireland respectively, something McCormack believes will build the England brand.

“To be on the same stage as the Academy lads and the same weekend as the England men’s team is a brilliant concept that will showcase the England brand,” said McCormack. “To be selected for England, in whichever team that may be, is the ultimate honour and to have four England teams playing over two days is fantastic.”

Six months in to his new coaching job, McCormack is impressed with the effort and skills demonstrated by the players, which he believes will bode well for the development of the squad looking ahead to the World Cup in 2013. “I will be really honest, I didn’t know a lot about the women’s game, but I have been really impressed with how good they are,” said McCormack. “Every training session they get better and better and as long as their attitude and commitment of this England side continues to improve I am sure we will go far. I feel positively about the future of the team and the development of the players, which is great because we are hosting the World Cup tournament in the UK next year.”

ENGLAND WOMEN
Amy Hardcastle, Kirsty Moroney, Lauren Stallwood, Rachel Twibill (Bradford Thunderbirds), Hannah Bairstow, Andrea Dobson, Kim Field, Natalie Gilmour, Emma Slowe (Featherstone Rovers), Lois Forsell (Hunslet Hawks Ladies), Rebecca Williams (Nottingham Outlaws), Danielle Bound, Jodie Cunningham, Holly Freestone, Clare Robinson, Emily Rudge, Gemma Walsh (Warrington), Tara Stanley (Widnes Vikings)