Burton-in-Kendal rugby star gets England call-up

A rugby league player with local links has been included in the latest England Women squad.

Georgia Wilson, who has coached both the Vale of Lune and Heysham Atoms during her career in rugby, is part of a 20-player squad who will travel to a fellow home nation this weekend.

They will face Wales at The Lextan Gnoll in Neath this Saturday (August 9) with the game getting underway at 5.30pm.

The game will form part of the team’s preparations for the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia in 2026.

Wilson, who was a guest on Beyond Radio’s Saturday Sport Show in June, made her first England appearance in October 2019 against Australia, and appeared again a month later against Papua New Guinea and played in further international matches, including in a Test series against Canada Ravens in 2022.

She appeared for England the last time they faced Wales back in 2022 and scored a try in the meeting prior to that in 2021.

“I’m really excited to be in the 20 woman squad for England against Wales this weekend," she said.

“It’ll be a great feeling to pull on an England shirt and I’m very proud to represent my country again.”

Wilson was born in Burton-in-Kendal and played for Kendal Rugby Club growing up before joining Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club while studying at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.

While studying, she also played for the Lancaster City FC Ladies.

More recently, she has been involved with the Vale of Lune Rugby Union Club, having coached them on occasion, and also supported, coached and trained Heysham Atoms Rugby League Club after their women’s team were reformed in 2022.

Wilson has had two spells at Warriors, returning to the club last year after just under 18 months out in Australia, where she represented Souths Logan Magpies and Norths Devils.

The team had huge success this year, winning their first Challenge Cup at Wembley in June with a 42-6 victory over St Helens, and Wilson has continued to be in fine form since, proving crucial to the team’s Nines tournament win in July.

She is also the club’s women’s and girls’ development officer, and since assuming that role, several women’s team games have been part of a double bill at the Brick Community Stadium, attracting thousands of fans.

Wales RL Women v England RL Women kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday (August 9) and will be shown live on S4C.