Great Britain women's national rugby league team
Team representing Great Britain in Women's rugby league
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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 (RFL). 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.[1]
| Team information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Lionesses | |
| Governing body | Rugby Football League | |
| Region | Europe | |
| Most caps | Sally Milburn 18 | |
| Top try-scorer | Sally Milburn 9 | |
| Top point-scorer | Brenda Dobek 39 | |
| Uniforms | ||
| ||
| Team results | ||
| Biggest win | ||
 Great Britain 54 – 0 Tonga  (North Harbour, New Zealand, 2 October 2003) | ||
| Biggest defeat | ||
Great Britain 0 – 44 New Zealand  (Christchurch, New Zealand, 29 August 1998) | ||
| World Cup | ||
| Appearances | 2 (first time in 2000) | |
| Best result | Runner's Up 2000 | |
The team is now largely defunct with the RFL switching towards home nations representation following the men's 2007 All Golds Tour (a process which began in 1995). 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.[2][3][4]
Competitive record
Head to head records
| Opponent | FM | MR | M | W | D | L | Win% | PF | PA | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Australia | 1996 | 2002 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 62.50% | 111 | 100 | 52.61% |
| New Zealand | 1998 | 2003 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.00% | 24 | 196 | 10.91% |
 Samoa | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 28 | 12 | 70.00% |
| Tonga | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 54 | 0 | 100.00% |
 Māori | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00% | 8 | 10 | 44.44% |
 Cook Islands | 2003 | 2003 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 50.00% | 20 | 20 | 50.00% |
| Totals | 1996 | 2003 | 18 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 41.67% | 245 | 338 | 42.02% |
Test Results
| Date | Opponent | Score | Tournament | Venue | Video | Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Jul 1996 | Australia | 14–16 | 3 Test Series | Phillip Oval, Canberra | [5] | [6] |
| 28 Jul 1996 | Australia | 18–12 | Gilbert Park, Brisbane | — | ||
| 3 Aug 1996 | Australia | 20–18 | Redfern Oval, Sydney | [7] | [8] | |
| 23 Aug 1998 | New Zealand | 6–28 | 3 Test Series | Pukatwhero Park, Rotorua | — | [9][10] |
| 29 Aug 1998 | New Zealand | 0–44 | Rugby League Park, Christchurch | — | [11][12][13] | |
| 4 Sep 1998 | New Zealand | 2–38 | Carlaw Park, Auckland | — | [14][15] | |
| 7 Nov 2000 | New Zealand | 12–22 | 2000 WRLWC |  Rugby Ground, Orrell, Greater Manchester | — | [16][17] |
| 14 Nov 2000 | Australia | 14–10 | Rams Stadium, Dewsbury | [18][19] | [20][21] | |
| 21 Nov 2000 | Australia | 4–0 | The Jungle, Castleford | — | [22] | |
| 24 Nov 2000 | New Zealand | 4–26 | Wilderspool, Warrington | [23] | [24] | |
| 14 Jul 2002 | Australia | 26–16 | 3 Test Series | Wentworthville Oval | — | [25] |
| 20 Jul 2002 | Australia | 10–14 | ANZ Stadium, Brisbane | — | [26] | |
| 27 Jul 2002 | Australia | 5–14 | Bruce Stadium, Canberra, ACT | — | [27][28] | |
| 28 Sep 2003 | Samoa | 28–12 | 2003 WRLWC | North Harbour Stadium | — | [29] |
| 2 Oct 2003 | Tonga | 54–0 | North Harbour Stadium | — | [30] | |
| 4 Oct 2003 | Māori | 8–10 | North Harbour Stadium | — | [31] | |
| 6 Oct 2003 | Cook Islands | 20–20 | North Harbour Stadium | — | [32][33] | |
| 10 Oct 2003 | New Zealand | 0–38 | North Harbour Stadium | — | [34] |
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.[35][36]
- 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.[37][38]
- The 2000 World Cup programme lists previous Test series occurring between 1995 and 1999.[36]
- 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.[39]
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.[40] Ian Harris (Hull) was head coach with Jackie Sheldon as assistant coach. Nikki Carter (Hull Vixens) was tour manager.[41] Paula Clark (York) 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.[40]
| 1996 Tour of Australia | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Score | Venue | Notes | ||||
| 16 July 1996 |  Sydney Select XIII |
86-0 |
 Redfern Oval, Sydney |
Tour match | ||||
| 18 July 1996 | Australian Capital Territory | 36-0 |
 Steinfield Oval, Canberra |
Tour match | ||||
| 21 July 1996 |  Australia |
14–16 |
Phillip Oval, Canberra |
First Test | ||||
| 24 July 1996 |  Queensland XIII |
22-8 |
 Gilbert Park, Brisbane |
Tour match | ||||
| 28 July 1996 | Australia |
18-12 |
Gilbert Park, Brisbane |
Second Test | ||||
| 31 July 1996 | Presidents XIII | 30-0 |
Cunningham Oval, Sydney |
Tour match | ||||
| 3 August 1996 | Australia |
20-18 |
Redfern Oval, Sydney |
Third Test | ||||
The playing group consisted of captain Lisa McIntosh (Dudley Hill, squad number 13), vice-captain Brenda Dobek (Wakefield Panthers, squad number 6) and the following: 16. Jill Adams (Redhill), 17. Jane Banks (Wigan St Patricks), 1. Sharon Birkenhead (Redhill), 4. Karen Burrows (Redhill), 5. Wendy Charnley (Rochdale), 20. Julie Cronin (York), 22. Lucy Ferguson (Wakefield Panthers), 7. Mandy Green (Dudley Hill), 18. Nicki Harrison (Dudley Hill), 21. Joanne Hewson (Askam), 15. Lisa Hunter (Hull), 23. Allison Kitchin (Barrow), 3. Liz Kitchin (Barrow), 9. Michelle Land (Wakefield Panthers), 25. Sally Milburn (Askam), 8. Donna Parker (Hull Vixens), 2. Chantel Patricks (Dudley Hill), 24. Samantha Pearson (Dudley Hill), 26. Joanne Roberts (Wakefield Panthers), 11. Lucia Scott (Rochdale), 14. Vicky Studd (Dudley Hill), 19. Paula Tunnicliffe (Rochdale), 12. Sandra Wade (Barrow) and 1. Joanna Will (Wakefield Panthers).
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.[35]
| 1998 Tour of New Zealand | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Score | Venue | Notes | ||||
| 16 August 1998 |  New Zealand Maori |
32–4 |
Auckland | Tour match[42] | ||||
| 19 August 1998 |  Auckland |
20–18 |
Carlaw Park, Auckland | Tour match[43][44] | ||||
| 23 August 1998 |  New Zealand |
6–28 |
Pukatwhero Park, Rotorua | First Test[9] | ||||
| 26 August 1998 |  Canterbury |
20–0 |
Christchurch | Tour match[45] | ||||
| 29 August 1998 | New Zealand |
0–44 |
Rugby League Park, Christchurch | Second Test[11] | ||||
| 4 September 1998 | New Zealand |
2–38 |
Carlaw Park, Auckland | Third Test[14] | ||||
2002 Tour of Australia
In 2002 Great Britain Lionesses toured Australia with sponsorship from Munchies.[46][47]
| 2002 Tour of Australia | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Opponent | Score | Venue | Notes | ||||
| 14 July 2002 | Australian Jillaroos |
26–16 |
Wentworthville Oval, Sydney |
1st Test[48] | ||||
| 17 July 2002 | Queensland |
50–10 |
Brothers Leagues Club Ground, Ipswich |
Tour match[49] | ||||
| 20 July 2002 | Australian Jillaroos |
10–14 |
ANZ Stadium, Brisbane |
2nd Test[48] | ||||
| 23 July 2002 | Canberra/ACT | 72–0 |
Kippax Oval, Canberra |
Tour match[50] | ||||
| 27 July 2002 | Australian Jillaroos |
5–14 |
Bruce Stadium, Canberra |
3rd Test[51] | ||||
The playing group, captained by Lisa McIntosh (Bradford Thunderbirds), consisted of Samantha Bailey (Sheffield), Jane Banks (Bradford), Nicola Benstead (Hull Dockers), Teresa Bruce (Bradford Thunderbirds), Sue Cochrane (Wakefield Panthers), Brenda Dobek (Wakefield Panthers), Becky Jones (Hillside Hawks), Alexandra Knight (Keighley), Michelle Land (Wakefield Panthers), Paula McCourt (Wakefield Panthers), Sally Millburn (Barrow), Nikki O'Donnell (Hull Dockers), Natalie Parsons (Bradford Thunderbirds), Chantel Patrick (Bradford Thunderbirds), Nicholette Postlethwaite (Wigan Ladies), Donna Prime (Hull Dockers), Debbie Rice (Hull Dockers), Kirsty Robinson (Bradford Thunderbirds), Amy Robinson (Hull Dockers), Nicola Simpson (Milford Storm), Rebecca Stevens (Sheffield), Danni Titterington (Wakefield Panthers), Gemma Walsh (Wakefield Panthers) and Rachael Wilson (Wakefield Panthers).[40]
The team was coached by Jackie Sheldon, with John Mitchell (Bradford Thunderbirds) and Dylan Reynard (Milford) serving as assistant coaches. The touring party was managed by Roland Davis and Andrew McDonald (Keighley). Elaine Kirton (Whitehaven) was on tour as physiotherapist.[40]
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.
