France will host traditional rivals England and an historic international against Nigeria Green Falcons in preparation for the Women’s IRL Rugby League World Cup.

Under the coaching of Alan Walsh for the first time, France - ranked No.4 on the IRL World Rankings - will play No.3 ranked England in Toulouse on July 25.

France will then host Nigeria on Saturday August 1 at Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan, alongside the Catalans-Wakefield Super League match.

With Catalans women’s team recently playing in the Challenge Cup and forward Leila Bessahli moving to Australia for an opportunity with Wests Tigers, Walsh said it was an exciting time to be involved with women’s rugby league in France.

The two Tests will help France prepare for RLWC2026 in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

“We're looking forward to playing England to see where we are at in our preparations for the World Cup and it will be a great experience for us to play one of the top three teams in the world,” Walsh said.

“Playing Nigeria will also be a tough test as they will have their heritage players flying in from the Uk and Australia for the game so again it’s an excellent way to prepare for the World Cup”.

The announcement of the France-England Test comes ahead of this weekend's kick-off for the 2026 Women's Super League.

England play Wales and Australia in Perth on October 17 and October 24 before travelling to Wollongong to face Samoa, while France play Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby on October 17, New Zealand in Christchurch on October 25 and Fiji at the Gold Coast on October 31.

Photo: France and England will meet in a Test ahead of RLWC2026. @SWPix

The Toulouse Test will be England's only hit-out ahead of RLWC2026 but players have been attending regular training camps.

“We’re very much looking forward to travelling to France in July," England coach Stuart Barrow said.

"The timing of this fixture gives us a great opportunity to assess where we are as a squad just a few months out from the World Cup.

“I’m expecting France to be well coached and a tough opponent, but this is exactly what we’ll need as we head into yet another pivotal year for the women’s game”.

Meanwhile, the international against Nigeria will be the first time France has played the African nation.

FFRXIII President Dominique Baloup said the match was being played as part of reciprocal arrangement in which Nigeria will host France in 2027.

“This confrontation promises to be demanding against a Nigerian team that is booming, athletic, committed and now recognised on the international scene," he said.

"For our Blues, it is a high-level sporting event, essential to further raise our standards and affirm our ambitions as the World Cup approaches.

“Beyond the performance stakes, this match carries a broader meaning. It is fully in line with France's desire to actively contribute to the development of women's rugby league on a global scale.

"By multiplying international confrontations, opening up the game to new nations and promoting these matches, we are helping to structure our discipline in the long term.

“The France-Nigeria match illustrates this dual ambition: to prepare our national team for the World Cup as well as possible, while supporting the growth of a more visible, competitive and more universal women's rugby league. "

For Nigeria, the international against France is an opportunity test themselves against a strong European nation after losing the final of the World Series to Fiji, who claimed the eighth and final Women’s World Cup berth.

Nigeria beat Ireland in the semi-final of the inaugural World Series in Canada; the Green Falcons’ first match outside of Africa.

Photo: Nigeria centre Abiola Obazuaye takes on Ireland fullback Lily Rogan in the World Series. @IRL

“Facing France is a significant moment for our women’s programme and a reflection of how far we’ve come in a short space of time," Nigeria Rugby League Association Vice-Chairman Ade Adebisi said.

“This match is about continuing to build belief and giving our players the experience of competing against one of Europe’s strongest nations.

The Green Falcons hosted a match against an African All Stars team in Lagos, with players drawn from Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and Ivory Coast, as well as Nigeria, ahead of their trip to France.

“This fixture is a huge milestone, not just for our athletes but for the broader vision of Nigeria Rugby League. Creating international opportunities like this is critical to accelerating development and showcasing the talent coming out of Nigeria.

“The reciprocal agreement with France also highlights the strength of collaboration between emerging and established nations. We’re building something long term and matches like this play a key role in inspiring the next generation while strengthening our pathway towards future World Cups.”

France v England

Saturday 25th July

1600hrs Kick Off
Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse

France v Nigeria
Saturday 1st August

1600hrs Kick Off

Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan