Mary Coleman has received her first call-up to the England rugby league squad, with the Wigan Warriors prop selected for the mid-season Test against France on 25 July. The 28-year-old will travel to Toulouse for the fixture, marking a significant milestone in her representative career.
Coleman’s selection comes off the back of an impressive domestic season with Wigan. The prop played a crucial role in the Warriors’ success earlier this year, helping the club win the Women’s Challenge Cup in May. Her performances in the competition have evidently caught the attention of the national setup.
International Credentials
What makes Coleman’s selection particularly notable is her rugby union background. The prop made the switch to rugby league and has since become an integral part of Wigan’s squad, with her Challenge Cup triumph demonstrating her ability to perform at the highest domestic level.
World Cup Preparation
England’s trip to face France forms part of a broader preparation strategy, with the Women’s World Cup scheduled for October-November 2026. The mid-season Test will provide valuable experience for the squad ahead of that tournament.
Head coach Stuart Barrow emphasized the importance of the upcoming camp and fixture in building toward the World Cup. “While our immediate focus is on delivering a strong performance in France, every training session and camp over the coming months will help shape where we need to be when the World Cup begins,” Barrow said.
The fixture against France will test England’s preparations during the mid-season international window, offering Barrow and his coaching staff the opportunity to assess squad depth and combinations ahead of the tournament in 18 months’ time.