Great Britain can draw first blood when they take on New Zealand in the historic opening match of the Women's Rugby League World Series tonight.

The game at Hull FC's Boulevard home is the first women's international to be held in this country and the tri-nations competition, which also involves Australia, is the first ever World Series.

Big things are expected of the British squad, which includes York's Michelle Handley, in what should be an evenly matched tournament. Tonight's match is something of a revenge mission for the Brits who lost the Test series 3-0 on their 1998 tour to New Zealand.

But they have made great strides since then and they will fancy their chances of toppling the Kiwis this time round.

Former York Acorn star Handley, who now turns out for the all-conquering Wakefield Townville Panthers, has missed out on a place in tonight's team.

However, Handley, the cousin of new York Wasps signing Paddy Handley, will get further chances when Britain take on Australia at Rochdale next Tuesday and also in the play-offs.

Great Britain's York-based team manager Roland Davis, a former chief executive of York Wasps, said: "Michelle has been playing well this season so there's no reason why she shouldn't be in contention for the other games.

"She had an ankle problem a couple of weeks ago but that's cleared up now."

Davis has been with the British squad at their Wigan base over the weekend and believes they are in the best possible shape to conquer the world.

"The training has been going very well down at Orrell rugby Union Club," he said. "They are so much better than when they went on tour in 1998.

"The women's game has really improved. It's improving with diet, techniques and fitness. The girls are very knowledgeable and very athletic."

The series has been getting plenty of publicity in the national media and gained exposure on prime time terrestrial television on Saturday night.

Five members of the team appeared on Cilla's Moment Of Truth, in which they successfully completed a Diablo challenge to win after-match suits for the whole squad.

Davis hopes the publicity will help attract a four-figure crowd to the Boulevard to kick-start the tournament.

After tonight's game, New Zealand move onto the South Leeds Stadium on Friday when they take on Australia, with Britain coming up against the Aussies next Tuesday.

After the opening three games, the top team take on the third placed team in the first play-off at Dewsbury on Friday, November 17. The winner goes through to the final on November 24 while the loser faces the second place team in another play-off with the victor going through to the final.