JESS SHARP and Eva Izumi could be in line to make their York Valkyrie debuts tomorrow, after being included in Lindsay Anfield’s 21-woman squad against Barrow Raiders (2pm).
The teenage pair are the only changes to Anfield’s preliminary squad from last week’s meeting with St Helens in place of Australia-bound Hollie-Mae .Dodd and Jas Bell, who is serving a one-match suspension after a Grade C Dangerous Contact charge against Leeds Rhinos.
Anfield confirmed that half-back Sharp would be handed her debut in Cumbria, having impressed in training and with dual registration club Hull KR, with whom she scored a hat-trick in their 58-6 triumph against Swinton Lionesses last month.
“We’ve got a big squad, and we need to [rotate],” admitted Anfield.
“It’s notable that Jas Bell can’t play, unfortunately for [her], so we’ll bring young Jess Sharp in as a replacement.
“She’s on dual reg from Hull KR, and is a great young player, and someone who has been so dedicated to our pre-season. It’ll be great to see her run out in a Valkyrie shirt.
“Chloe Smith will get her first hit out in the half-back role, where Hollie’s been playing the last couple of games,” she also confirmed.
“It’ll be great to see her.
“There’s a few changes on the wings as well, so it’ll be great to see some of the other members of the squad have a run out.”
The Valkyrie will be hoping to kickstart their Betfred Challenge Cup campaign in style, following impressive triumphs over rivals Leeds Rhinos and St Helens in the Betfred Women’s Super League this month.
York sailed through to the semi-finals of last years’ competition with three wins from three against Wigan Warriors, Bradford Bulls and Dewsbury Moor, then running riot in a 92-2 thrashing of Oulton Raidettes in the quarter-finals before their cup run ended with a 24-26 defeat to Leeds.
l York Valkyrie squad to face Barrow Raiders: Andrade, Field, Gale, Hendry, Hetherington, Hyde, Izumi, Kershaw, Lambert, Marshall, Owen, Peach, Renouf, Sanderson, Sharp, Smith, Stanley, Staveley, Taylor, Whitehead, Wood.
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