ENGLAND coach Stuart Barrow described some of his players as “a little overawed” after watching a comfortable but less-than-stellar victory over France in their last game before Rugby League World Cup 2026.

Second rower Lucy Murray and winger Elise Derbyshire each posted try braces in a 38-4 win at Stade Ernest Wallon in a match played before the Toulouse-Catalans Super League game.

Barrow is now bound for NRLW Magic Round in Wagga where he will hold meetings with several players eager to represent England on a heritage basis.

In steamy conditions - the later game was marred by electrical storms - France led 4-0 at the end of an error strewn opening quarter-hour.

Photo: England halfback Isabel Rowe was player of the match. @SWPix

“It was a real poor start from us to be honest,” said Barrow. “What was pleasing is we had to defend a lot and I thought we defended really really well on our line collectively, back-to-back sets that well collectively to hold them out but very sloppy with the ball.

“I think there was some people who were a little overawed and that’s fine at international level when you make your debut. They’ll go away and they’ll learn from that.”

Derbyshire, Mary Coleman, Megan Williams, Mia Atherton, Ellise Derbyshire and Evie Cousins were the debutants.

Barrow, who previously said he wanted only heritage players willing to commit beyond the World Cup, said the performance in Toulouse would not sway his decisions on who to bring in.

Players linked to England include Sydney Roosters second rower Jasmin Strange and playmaker Jocelyn Kelleher, Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston and Wests Tigers fullback Caitlin Turnbull.

“I’m meeting some players to have some chats and also have a little look at some people on that (Magic) weekend as well,” Barrow said.

“I will pick thoroughly on form but I need to think what will make us better when we get there as well. That has always been the case. We said we would look at what will make this group better.

“If it will enhance this group, without stifling someone’s progress…”

Photo: France will be aiming to beat England for the first time when they meet during the World Cup in Perth. @SWPix

England play their opening two World Cup games at Perth's HBF Park, against Wales on October 17 and Australia on October 24, before travelling to Wollongong to take on Fetu Samoa on October 30.

All three matches are double headers with England Men, who play Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea.

France Women are the only team to play in all three World Cup host countries and face Papua New Guinea Orchids in Port Moresby on October 17, New Zealand in Christchurch on October 25 and Fiji on the Gold Coast on October 31.

With the Test in Toulouse played over 35-minute halves to acclimatise for World Cup conditions, England appeared to assert its superiority between the 17th minute and halftime by piling on 28 points. But they got bogged down again in the second half with France unfortunate not to post at least one try.

It was a step forward for France under new coach Alan Walsh. They have never beaten their cross-channel rivals.

“Our first 15 minutes was close to perfect except for a couple of penalties against us, the players did everything we asked of them," Walsh said.

"Elisa Akpa had an excellent game and worked tirelessly, Lisa Diraison kicked and organised the team well and defended extremely impressively against their very strong left edge, while Perrine Monsarrat worked really hard and fullback Manon Samarra ran well in attack. I'm extremely proud of the full team.”

ENGLAND 38 (Derbyshire 2 Murray 2 Donnelly Hunter Foubister tries Rowe 5 goals) beat FRANCE 4 (Diraison 2 goals) at Stade Ernest Wallon.

ENGLAND: Georgia Wilson (Wigan); Anna Davies (Wigan), Tamzin Renouf (York), Evie Cousins (Leeds), Elise Derbyshire (Wigan); Jenny Foubister (Wigan), Isabel Rowe (Wigan); Shona Hoyle-Holdsworth (St Helens), Keira Bennett (Leeds), Mary Coleman (Wigan), Eva Hunter (Wigan), Lucy Murray (Leeds), Megan Williams (Wigan). Res: Jodie Cunningham (c) (St Helens), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Ruby Bruce (Leeds), Ella Donnelly (Leeds).

FRANCE: Manon Samarra (RC Lescure Arthes XIII); Perle Ramazeilles (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Melissa Medina (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Amael Vilanovi (RC Begles XIII), Margot Canal (St Esteve XIII Catalan), Camile Boudaud (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Lisa Dirauson (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Elisa Akpa (St Esteve XIII Catalan), Dorine Sammara (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Salome Segala (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Stecy Bessiere (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Perrine Monsarrat (RC Lescure Arthes XIII), Elodie Pecull (RC Lescure Arthes XIII). Res: Fanny Ramos (St Esteve XIII Catalan), Tessa Benmalek (St Esteve XIII Catalan), Sarah Louise Vernay (St Esteve XIII Catalan), Anais Andral (RC Lescure Arthes XIII).

Referee: Stephane Vincent.