England v France double-header to be covered by two former Rugby League internationals on SuperLeague+

Two former Rugby League internationals will unite at the microphone for the live coverage of Saturday’s England v France double header on  SuperLeague+ - and both Paul Cooke and Craig Murdock are relishing the prospect of commentating on England’s first internationals in France since 2021.

Cooke won three senior England caps during the 2006 season in which he helped Hull FC to their only Super League Grand Final appearance, the year after their famous Challenge Cup triumph against Leeds in Cardiff – while Murdock had been a regular in junior BARLA Great Britain teams before embarking on a professional career which peaked in 1996 with significant contributions for the Wigan team who enjoyed notable cross-code success in two fixtures against Bath, and especially in winning the Middlesex Sevens at Twickenham.

Since retirement, both have become regular and respected voices in the media – Cooke contributing regularly to Sky Sports and TalkSport as a pundit, and Murdock making a rare transition to be the main commentator, both for BBC Radio Humberside and TalkSport.

“This is my 20th year working in the media, and I’ve loved it,” said Murdock.

“And it’s exciting to be working on the two England internationals in France for SuperLeague+ - especially with Cookey.

“He’s such a good bloke to work with, because he’s got a great ability to appreciate and explain how and why things are happening. He’s just got a great Rugby League brain, with York the latest club to benefit from that on the coaching side – and that’s given him more insight into the women’s game.”

Cooke added: “I’m really looking forward to both games this Saturday, starting with the Women’s International.

“I’m a bit biased when it comes to the York girls – I’m so pleased that Georgie Hetherington is in there, it’s been a big shot in the arm for her.

“Craig and I have commentated on a few BWSL games this season – the Saints v Leeds game before Wembley was fantastic, with Jodie Cunningham obviously a stand-out, and we had an early view of the exciting potential of Isabel Rowe when Wigan played Barrow in April.

“It’s similar in the Men’s game, with a combination of familiar faces and some players who will be new to the international level.

“Being based in Hull I’ve loved watching the way Elliot Minchella has developed over the last couple of years and I think he really deserves this chance.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how Sam Wood goes at centre, and the same for Brad O’Neill at hooker – they all know this is their big chance to impress ahead of the series against Samoa at the end of the year, when we’ll have the guys based over in the NRL like Farnworth, Young and Smithies back in contention.

“I’m also looking forward to seeing this France team. It looks much stronger than the last couple of matches we’ve played against them, and you’d think they will also be inspired by home advantage in Toulouse.

“It’s so important for us in England to have France as strong international opposition, both for our Men and Women – and I’d like to think Rugby League fans of all clubs will be keen to watch the games this weekend when there’s no Men’s or Women’s Super League action.”

England’s Men and Women will play France in Toulouse on Saturday 29 June, as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic.

England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time, 2:30pm UK), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm (5pm, UK) – and both matches will be streamed LIVE and FREE from Stade Ernest-Wallon on SuperLeague+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.

SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices, and on connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).