Having been made to sit and watch over the past 17 days while the men took centre stage, the world's female rugby league players get their chance on Tuesday as the women's tournament of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup finally begins. Hosts England are the big name on show at Headingley on day 18 as Craig Richards sends out a side that is expected to provide stern opposition for Australia and New Zealand in the latter stages.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Tuesday’s action…
England v Brazil – Women's Group A
Where: Headingley Stadium, Leeds.
When: 2:30pm (GMT)
TV: BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
Referee: Rochelle Tamarua (New Zealand)
Last meeting: N/A - First meeting
England’s last five: LWWWW
Brazil’s last five: WL
Much will be expected of Emily Rudge and her England teammates as the host nation get the opportunity to set their stall out from game one. This is a squad increasingly filled with what are now household names, with seven of the 24-strong squad having just won the Betfred Women's Super League with Leeds Rhinos. They include scrum half Courtney Winfield-Hill, who recently chose England over her native Australia, and teenage three-quarter Fran Goldthorp. St Helens' Amy Hardcastle is the top try scorer in the national team's history with 21, while club colleagues Rudge and Jodie Cunningham jointly hold the appearance record with 25 apiece.
For Brazil this is a step into the unknown, becoming the first South American team ever to play in a Rugby League World Cup and in only their third fixture ever too. Having been selected as one of the final eight participants thanks to the infrastructure in place, the Amazonas pushed France all the way in a recent warm-up fixture. Franciny Amaral's try early in the second half brought them right back into a game they eventually lost 16-4, with their 48-0 win against Argentina in 2018 their only previous experience. Captain Maria Graf doubles up as a personal trainer, which is typical of a group full of part-timers.
Sportsman stat: England have won six and lost seven of their 13 games in World Cup history, losing to both Australia and New Zealand in each of their three previous participations as well as falling to a surprise 22-16 loss to Cook Islands in 2017.
Betfred match odds: England 1/2000, Brazil 33/1, draw 33/1
Betfred tournament odds: England 14/1, Brazil 200/1
Papua New Guinea v Canada - Women's Group A
Where: Headingley Stadium, Leeds.
When: 5pm (GMT)
TV: BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer
Referee: Geoffrey Poumes (France)
Last meeting: Canada 22-8 Papua New Guinea (Woolooware, RLWC 2017)
Papua New Guinea’s last five: LLLWW
Canada’s last five: LWWWL
There is little unknown about the two sides following England and Brazil onto the field at Headingley, with the Orchids having split a two-game series with Craig Richards' side in 2019 while Canada took on both Australia and New Zealand in the last World Cup in 2017. Gabrielle Hindley leads a Ravens side which boasts former NZ Ferns international Laura Mariu amongst its number. The 41-year-old has appeared at five World Cups with New Zealand but also qualifies for Canada through her mother.
For the PNG Orchids, this will all be about trying to reach a first semi-final at the World Cup before the likes of Therese Aiton and Shirley Joe reach the twilight of their careers.
Sportsman stat: Papua New Guinea have only one win to their names in nine official fixtures, that coming in their last full international against England in 2019 thanks to Elsie Albert's brilliant last-minute winner.
Betfred tournament odds: Papua New Guinea 20/1, Canada 66/1
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
