England Women star Hollie-Mae Dodd will come up against Wales captain Bethan Dainton on Saturday and both players have shared their thoughts on what to expect from the home nations clash this weekend…
Dodd became the first English player to sign a contract in the NRLW after penning a deal with the Canberra Raiders back in 2023. The second-rower arrived at the club from Betfred Women's Super League side York Valkyrie, where she was crowned as the competition’s Young Player of the Year in 2022.
Her debut season at York also saw the club win the 2022 League Leaders’ Shield, the inaugural Women’s Nines and reach the Grand Final for the first time.
Dodd further enhanced her growing reputation with an impressive run of performances at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup as her two tries in four matches helped England reach an historic Semi Final.
The 21-year-old last played for England back in April 2023 and she is relishing the chance to be back in the international team.
“The last time I was with England we played France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium so it'll be really good to go into the game with a bit of the unknown. But I’m staying focused on myself and my own performance to make sure I put my best foot forward.
“There's some new faces within the squad but it's good to be around the girls again. Obviously, everyone aspires to pull on that England jersey, so I’m excited to be back.”
Since making the move down under, there have been several new names break into the squad and Dodd has been looking forward to getting to know the new names in camp.
“There are so many new players in the team and I’m looking forward to building that connection with the young girls off the field because then you can take that onto the field which is really important. Some of the girls I've never played against or alongside so it’s been great getting to know them.”
The second-row made her international debut against Wales in 2021 and will face the national side for the second time this Saturday.
“They've just won their World Cup qualifier, so they'll be going into the game with a bit of confidence. We've analysed them, but we won’t think into it too much we’ll just focus on ourselves.
“They’ve definitely been training a lot harder and a lot more than when I first played them and I’m expecting them to be strong. They've got a few Rugby Union girls in there too so it will be a test.”
On the opposite team will be Leeds Rhinos back row and Wales captain Bethan Dainton who will be coming up against seveal of her team mates.
“When that first whistle goes, I don't care what's in front of me. It's an opposition. But after the final whistle goes, then we're back friends again!”
Dainton will lead her country on the home ground of her club having missed the corresponding fixture in 2023 through injury.
“I try and say to the girls and to myself that regardless of where you're playing it’s just another grass pitch your playing on with your teammates, it doesn't really faze me. Again, as soon as that whistle goes, I just forget that whatever's around me and just concentrate on my game.”
Saturday will be the first fixture for Wales since they successfully qualified for a debut World Cup by defeating Netherlands in June, and their captain feels a strong Cardiff Demons has proved the difference since their inception.
“Without Cardiff Demons, we probably wouldn't have a team and the work they do back in Wales as well is so important. We’ve got over 200 Girls now playing Rugby League in Wales, which we never had two years ago.”
And the 35-year-old will contiue to wear the Welsh Dragon with pride as she continues to lead the nation on their upward trajectory.
“I'm so proud to represent my country. I absolutely love the Welsh national anthem and I’m so proud to be Welsh, I love everything about it. But doing it Headingley will be super special.
“Normally when I walk out at Headingley, I'm at the back hiding. So I think it'll be slightly different this time, but I know as soon as the game starts I'll be absolutely fine. I'll be ready to go.”
Tickets for the ABK Beer International double-header in Leeds are available at rugby-league.com/tickets with prices starting from £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s.
The new England RL shirt can also be purchased now from Oxen’s Elite Pro Sports online store.
