Wales will take on Canada under NRLW rules as they step up preparations for Rugby League World Cup 2026 with a Test in Neath on July 19.

With Women's matches at the World Cup to be played under NRLW rules, including being of 70 minutes duration, Wales will replicate the conditions they will face against England, Fetu Samoa and the Jillaroos.

The Test against the Ravens will be a first chance for head coach Tom Brindle to see how his charges are progressing as they build towards RLWC2026 in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Wales will be led by Wigan Warriors’ Bethan Dainton, a Challenge Cup winner at Wembley earlier this season alongside teammate Carys Marsh.

Dainton will also be alongside another familiar face in Jade Mullen. Now playing for London Broncos, the former Harlequins rugby union title winner has played rugby union alongside Dainton for the Army and for the Wales Sevens side.

Frances Layton, Zoe Heeley and Sioned Young of Cardiff Demons are also in line to earn their first Wales rugby league caps after being named in Brindle’s 19-player squad.

Layton and Heeley have each gone over for 15 tries this season for the Demons and now qualify for Wales under the five-year residency rule.

Layton has played rugby union for Worcester and football for Hereford United in the past, whilst Heeley was a rugby union player with Warriors Women.

There is also a return for Ffion Lewis, who is back in the Wales rugby league squad for the first time in five years. Since her last appearance, she has enjoyed a successful spell in rugby union, winning 33 caps for her country.

She previously earned two rugby league caps and captained the national side during her first stint in the sport.

Emily Hughes and Katie Carr also return to the squad after missing last year’s international programme through injury.

“We’re really looking forward to getting back together and beginning our World Cup preparations,” Brindle said.

“Canada will provide us with a tough test, but that’s exactly what we need at this stage. The focus is on continuing to develop as a team, putting our systems into practice, and building confidence ahead of travelling to Australia later this year.”

Wales will open their World Cup campaign against England at HBF Park in Perth on October 17 before travelling to Sydney to meet Samoa on October 23 and Australia on November 1, both at CommBank Stadium.

Brindle said the clash with Canada was important for his side.

“We’re really excited for this challenge against Canada,” he said. “This is exactly the sort of fixture we need as we continue building towards the World Cup.

“Competition for places is exactly where we want to be as a programme. We know Canada will provide a tough, physical test, but our focus is on playing our game, continuing to improve the standards we’ve set and giving those new players the confidence to show what they can do in a Wales shirt.”

Photo: Wales captain Bethan Dainton in action against England @SWPIx

The Test will be the first hitout for Matty Barron’s side since Canada beat Ireland to third place in the IRL Women’s Rugby League World Series in Ontario last Autumn, with Cassie Mann, Dani Cox, Erika Scott, Hanna Tonet, Payton McNeill, Tatiana Joseph and Larae Benoit all potential debutants.

York Valkyrie pair Megan Pakulis and Petra Woods are also included in their squad.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against Wales and measuring ourselves against quality opposition,” said Barron.

“We’ve brought together a strong mix of experienced veterans and talented debutants, creating a squad that combines composure, skill and plenty of attacking threat.

“The competition for positions has been outstanding, adding depth across the team and pushing everyone to elevate their game.

"The new players haven’t just joined the squad—they’ve challenged for jerseys and raised the standard. We’re looking forward to seeing how much we’ve grown since the World Series.”

After playing Wales, the Ravens will head to Scotland for the second match of their European tour.

Wales (squad): Leanne BURNELL, Katie CARR, Jasmine GIBBONS, Zoe HEELEY, Sara JONES, Frances LAYTON, Amberley RUCK, Olivia WILLIAMS, Sioned Catrin YOUNG (Cardiff Demons), Georgia TAYLOR, Gracie HOBBS (Huddersfield Giants), Emily HUGHES, Ffion LEWIS, Jade Mullen, Kathryn SALTER (London Broncos), Danielle MCGIFFORD (St Helens), Bethan DAINTON, Carys MARSH (Wigan Warriors), Agnes WOOD (York Valkyrie)

Canada (squad): Cassie MANN, Danielle COX, Danielle FRANADA, Alanna FITTES, Brittany JONES, Rebecca Kochuk LOWRY, Sarah MAGUIRE, Savannah BACCHUS, Larae Benoit, Maddy ABERG (Alberta Broncos), Gabrielle HINDLEY, Payton MCNEILL (BC Storm), Erika SCOTT, Tatiana JOSEPH, Natasha NAISMITH, Hannah TONET, Tamisha TOUSSAINT (Ontario Osprey), Megan PAKULIS, Petra WOODS (York Valkyrie)

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