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 were runner's up in the 2000 World Cup, beating Australia twice but losing both matches, including the final, against New Zealand. Great Britain placed third in the 2003 World Cup.
The team is now largely defunct with the RFL switching towards home nations representation following the men's 2007 All Golds Tour. The England women's national rugby league team was established ahead of the next world cup in 2008, with Wales making their debut in 2019.
Scotland had not played a women's match to the end of 2024, but in February 2025 announced their intent to establish a women's team with the appointment of coaches and support staff, and an inaugural training session.

Competitive record

Test Results

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.
  • As part of their preparations for the 2000 World Cup, Great Britain played two matches against the England Wildcats. Great Britain won the first match 40–12.
  • The 2000 World Cup programme lists previous Test series occurring between 1995 and 1999.
  • 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.

Tours

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. Ian Harris was head coach with Jackie Sheldon as assistant coach. Nikki Carter was tour manager. Paula Clark 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.
The playing group consisted of captain Lisa McIntosh, vice-captain Brenda Dobek and the following:
16. Jill Adams, 17. Jane Banks, 1. Sharon Birkenhead, 4. Karen Burrows, 5. Wendy Charnley, 20. Julie Cronin,
22. Lucy Ferguson, 7. Mandy Green, 18. Nicki Harrison, 21. Joanne Hewson, 15. Lisa Hunter, 23. Allison Kitchin, 3. Liz Kitchin, 9. Michelle Land, 25. Sally Milburn, 8. Donna Parker, 2. Chantel Patricks, 24. Samantha Pearson, 26. Joanne Roberts, 11. Lucia Scott, 14. Vicky Studd, 19. Paula Tunnicliffe, 12. Sandra Wade and 1. Joanna Will.

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.

2002 Tour of Australia

In 2002 Great Britain [women's rugby league tour of Australia|2002 Great Britain Lionesses toured Australia] with sponsorship from Munchies.
The playing group, captained by Lisa McIntosh, consisted of Samantha Bailey, Jane Banks, Nicola Benstead, Teresa Bruce, Sue Cochrane, Brenda Dobek, Becky Jones, Alexandra Knight, Michelle Land, Paula McCourt, Sally Millburn, Nikki O'Donnell, Natalie Parsons, Chantel Patrick, Nicholette Postlethwaite, Donna Prime, Debbie Rice, Kirsty Robinson, Amy Robinson, Nicola Simpson, Rebecca Stevens, Danni Titterington, Gemma Walsh and Rachael Wilson.
The team was coached by Jackie Sheldon, with John Mitchell and Dylan Reynard serving as assistant coaches. The touring party was managed by Roland Davis and Andrew McDonald. Elaine Kirton was on tour as physiotherapist.

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.