YORK Valkyrie's Lacey Owen is set to make her England debut against Wales tomorrow.

The second-rower is one of five Valkyrie to be included in Stu Barrow's squad, alongside newly-crowned Woman of Steel Sinead Peach, Tara Jane Stanley, Liv Wood, and Tamzin Renouf.

Winger Georgie Hetherington, who had been included in Barrow's preliminary squad, misses out.

It's been a stellar season for Owen, who has returned to the international senior set-up after a three-year hiatus.

An influential member of Lindsay Anfield's historic double-winning squad in 2023, she also scored what proved to be the winning try in York's historic 16-6 Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos last month.

St Helens' Jodie Cunningham will once again lead her country out at Headingley in the first part of a double header with England's men, who will be looking to seal a series whitewash in their third and final Test against Tonga.

It will be a special milestone for Cunningham tomorrow lunchtime, her 30th cap moving her second in England women's all-time appearance makers behind Saints teammate Emily Rudge.

Half-back Georgia Roche, who became the first woman to win both the NRLW and BWSL Grand Finals when she swapped the Rhinos for Newcastle Knights earlier this year, will also make her return to Headingley for the first time since her move Down Under.

Barrow confirmed that Owen would debut against Wales, saying: 

“We’ve been in camp for a few days now and I have been really impressed with everyone’s attitude and commitment since we got together as a group again.

"We’re all focused on the challenge ahead and I think we are in a good place heading into Saturday.

“It’s going to be a fantastic occasion in front of the crowd at Headingley, and hopefully we can secure a win and make it a special day for both Jodie and Lacey, who will be celebrating a 30th and debut cap achievement.”

The Valkyrie also have involvement in the Wales squad, with winger Georgia Taylor being included in Tom Brindle's 19-player squad after an impressive debut in Carcassonne last weekend.

The 27-year-old, who only made her first foray into rugby league in 2019, marked a dream debut after finishing off a fine team move into the right corner, but that proved to be just a consolation as they were beaten 14-4 by France.

England Women squad: Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett (both Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Tara Jones (St Helens), Vicky Molyneux (Wigan Warriors), Lacey Owen (York Valkyrie), Eboni Partington (St Helens), Sinead Peach (York Valkyrie), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie), Tara-Jane Stanley (York Valkyrie), Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield (both St Helens)