WARRINGTON'S Emily Rudge is preparing to captain her country for the first time today.

The former Cardinal Newman High School student has got over the shock of being asked to lead the England women's rugby league side against France in Carcassonne.

Rudge, a forward in the Women's Super League for St Helens, was a stand-out performer for England when the team last played in last year's world cup but she is a newcomer to the captaincy role at any level.

"I was told a couple of weeks ago and to be honest I was a little bit surprised," said Rudge.

"I've been involved in the set-up for quite a while and I've got a bit of experience, but I've never been in that role before.

"So yes, it's a bit of a change, but it's nice. I was made up to be asked, and I'm honoured.

"It should be a good tour. There's quite a few younger players getting their first cap, so obviously this is exciting for them, and it's a good opportunity for us to develop as a team looking forward to the 2021 World Cup.

"This France tour is obviously the focus at the minute, but that’s something the coaches and the playing staff are building towards, to really challenge Australia and New Zealand."

England, who also include Warrington's Jodie Cunningham and Tara Jones in their ranks, had two wins in France last year, both in Perpignan, and warmed up for Saturday's games with a training session against the recently-formed Catalans Dragons women's team.

England squad: Amy Hardcastle (Bradford Bulls), Amy Johnson (Leeds Rhinos), Andrea Dobson (Featherstone Rovers), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds Rhinos), Danielle Anderson (Leeds Rhinos), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Faye Gaskin (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Castleford Tigers), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Kelsey Gentles (Castleford Tigers), Naomi Williams (St Helens), Becky Greenfield (Wigan Warriors), Rhiannion Marshall (Leeds Rhinos), Shona Hoyle (Bradford Bulls), Sinead Peach (Castleford Tigers), Tara Jones (St Helens), Tara-Jane Stanley (Castleford Tigers), Tamzin Renouf (Castleford Tigers), Vanessa Temple (Wigan Warriors), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens).