Women’s Rugby League World Cup: Zoe Hornby ready to inspire next generation as England make seven changes for Canada challenge | Rugby League News

Zoe Hornby is one of seven new faces coming into the England side against Canada; The Ravens will be looking to secure a shock win; England’s women take on Canada at 12pm at the DW Stadium, with their male counterparts facing Papua New Guinea immediately afterwards

Zoe Hornby is in line to make her debut for England on Saturday.

Zoe Hornby says she “aspires to inspire” the next generation of women’s rugby league players as she prepares to make her England debut against Canada on Saturday.

The Leeds Rhinos forward has been impressive in the women’s Super League this season and has earned her spot in what should be a huge occasion at the DW Stadium, with England’s men taking on Papua New Guinea immediately afterwards in their World Cup quarter-final.

With a huge crowd expected for the double-header, plus the attendance of the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton at the event, it will be another landmark moment for the women’s game – and Newcastle-born Hornby knows she has a chance to make her mark while representing the North East.

“I am absolutely delighted to be making my England debut surrounded by such inspiring girls,” Hornby said.

“It’s been great in camp preparing the girls for the opening game, but I am raring to get on the field myself especially in such a big occasion.

“I aspire to inspire in everything I do, with both my work and career so being able to represent the North East in such a great sport is such an honour.

“I hope I can show what opportunities there are with hard work and dedication.”

Seven changes have been made for the Canada match as head coach Craig Richards takes the chance to have a closer look at all of his squad.

England head coach Craig Richards has included all seven players who did not play in the opening victory against Brazil, with Wigan’s Georgia Wilson, Hornby’s Leeds team-mates Dannielle Anderson and Keara Bennett and the St Helens trio Beth Stott, Paige Travis and Carrie Roberts also coming into the fold.

However, they will have a tough task against a Canada outfit who put in a strong performance in their loss against Papua New Guinea.

The Ravens have a strong forward pack plus an organised backline, and winger Dani Franada is ready for a packed crowd and TV audience to see what her side can do against one of the tournament favourites.

“It was a tough match against PNG for sure, but it is always good to get boot to ground especially at such great facilities against some really class players,” Franada said.

“Despite the loss, you can start to see the picture we have been working towards and we will be building on that.

“With matches like this, excited is honestly an understatement.

“Having the opportunity to represent your country in front of a buzzing crowd is something every athlete dreams about and so I don’t think ‘excited’ grasps the full emotion behind games like this.

“The coverage really opens avenues and a platform to inspire the next generation and it is that investment that keeps youth interested in the sport, and is what is going to take the game to new heights.”

England squad: 1. Tara Stanley, 3. Fran Goldthorp, 5. Leah Burke, 6. Georgia Roche, 7. Courtney Winfield-Hill, 9. Tara Jones, 10. Dannielle Anderson, 11. Hollie Dodd, 12. Emily Rudge, 14. Vicky Molyneux, 15. Vicky Whitfield, 16. Beth Stott, 17. Shona Hoyle, 18. Olivia Wood, 19. Paige Travis, 20. Georgia Wilson, 21. Keara Bennett, 23. Carrie Roberts, 24. Zoe Hornby