WARRINGTON Wolves' squad has been named in preparation for a debut season in the Women's Championship.

The squad of 28 will be led by captain Roxy Mura, the fiancée of Wire's Tongan star Ben Murdoch-Masila, and face a trip to Barrow on Sunday, April 7, to open their campaign before facing off with derby rivals Widnes Vikings at the Asics Victoria Park Stadium the following weekend.

> Warrington Wolves Women's 2019 fixture list

Mura, who previously played for St Helens, says the newly formed squad is bonding well under the leadership of coach Lee Westwood and his assistant Ben Westwood, the Wire back-rower.

Among the squad is England hooker Danielle Bound, who hails from the town.

Mura said: "Our team has been together for a couple months now and we have made a strong bond with each other.

"We had girls who had never played league before, some coming from different sports and some putting the boots back on, so it’s a credit to our coaching staff to how far we’ve come.

"Our plays are coming together and with each training session we are all improving on our own individual skills."

Mura added: "Our squad and coaching staff are a really good bunch; having Ben Westwood on board as our assistant coach, sharing his skills and knowledge is a massive privilege too.

"A lot of the ladies look up to him so with his insight into the game it really has helped us."

Lee Westwood said more than half of the women in the squad had not played rugby league prior to an appeal for players to attend trials.

Netballers and hockey players are among the group.

“It's been an exciting challenge putting the squad together," he said.

"Over half our squad includes talent-transfer girls who have never played rugby league before and we are pretty excited to see where they are now from where they started, and how close they have become as a group.

"Their understanding of the game and skill set is getting better every week which is a credit to the dedicated staff we have here.

"The girls are looking forward to the season starting. After playing their first friendly, the players and staff were pleasantly surprised to see how far we have come.”

Mura said she was surprised at being asked to skipper the squad.

"Being named captain is a huge honour and to be honest a massive shock," she said.

"To be part of the Warrington Wolves ladies' team is an honour in itself.

"We’re part of history and we want to do the Warrington community proud.

"There has been a big growth in females wanting to play more physical sports like rugby league and I’m proud that we are part of that.

"The taboo that girls shouldn’t be playing rugby is history and more and more girls are giving it a go and enjoying it."

Warrington Wolves have assembled three junior girls' teams too, at under 12s, under 14s and under 16s age levels, while there is also a development group of under sevens to under 10s players. 

"When we have training, the younger girls are training too and it makes me so happy to see them doing what they love," said Mura.

"With the Warrington Foundation giving girls a pathway from a younger age through to the open women’s team makes me proud to be a part of this club."

The women will play their second friendly tonight, Friday, at The Arena, Victoria Park, against Leigh Miners at 7pm.

Warrington Wolves 2019 members gain free entry with their membership card as do all juniors. Pay on the gate entry is £3.

Warrington Wolves Women's squad:

1 Jennifer Pickersgill; 2 Sophie Cowle; 3 Sally Conyers; 4 Amy Daniels; 5 Laura Elvin; 6 Terri Allen; 7 Megan Moore; 8 Amie Toher; 9 Megan Garvey; 10 Gillian Capper; 11 Roxy Mura (captain); 12 Shereen McCartney; 13 Samantha Simpson; 14 Sarah Faulkner; 15 Amber Leyland; 16 Cat Davies; 17 Anna Hutchins; 18 Ellie Jelves; 19 Jade Crosby; 20 Kirsty Hudson; 21 Mollie Parker; 22 Helen McIntyre; 23 Rowanne Smalley; 24 Danielle Bound; 25 Bethany Bound; 26 Keira McCosh; 27 Rebecca Wilson; 28 Natasha Ryder