Wales women’s head coach Tom Brindle says the team want to play their part in growing rugby league as a “small nation punching above their weight”.

His side make the country’s Rugby League World Cup debut against England on Saturday in Perth, before facing Samoa and co-hosts Australia in Sydney.

Group A provides a daunting test for a team who played their first full international in June 2021.

“Not only is it a big opportunity for us as Wales and the people of Wales, I think it’s a big opportunity for rugby league across Europe,” said Brindle.

“We have to pinch ourselves that we set off on a journey and we got here and we’re not too far away from competing at our first World Cup game.”

Brindle has named a 21-player squad, with three new caps in the starting line-up and two others who could make their debut from the bench.

Hannah Bluck will represent Wales in her fourth sport, having earned 15 senior caps in rugby union as well as representing the country at basketball and U19s level football.

Canterbury Bulldogs captain, Sydney-born Tayla Preston, makes her debut at scrum-half alongside Ffion Lewis at stand-off – who becomes the first Welsh woman to play in a World Cup in both codes.

The other debutant in the Wales starting line-up is St Helens second row Paige Travis, who represented England at the delayed 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Captain Bethan Dainton says the new faces in the squad have “bought into the culture” of the team.

“They jumped in like they’ve been part of this team the whole time, you can’t tell that they’re new to the squad at all,” said Dainton.

“We’ve got strengths all across the park, we’ve got some other leaders in the squad which will help the team.

“They’re amazing athletes as well so I’m excited to see how we go as a team on Saturday.”

On the bench is Erin Williams, who is hoping to follow in the footsteps of brother Zak, who also represented Wales in rugby league.

She joined Cardiff Demons midway through their season and could make her international debut in just her sixth match in the sport.

“Following in my brother’s footsteps is a massive honour for me, he’s a massive inspiration in my life.

“Without him I wouldn’t be here today.

“I know I put the work in myself but he’s the one who pushed me to play the sport, it’s a huge honour.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of I just didn’t think it would come this early.”

Wales had played only nine games before being given a chance to reach the World Cup in Australia – and they took it in style.

They travelled to Netherlands, beating them 48-6 in June 2024 to seal their place at the global gathering.

They had also beaten Ireland 28-10 in Cardiff in their opening qualifier.

But if they needed a reality check, it came in November 2024 in Leeds – an 82-0 humbling by England.

Only two friendlies followed in 2024 – an 18-12 triumph against Scotland followed by another heavy 62-0 defeat by the Lionesses, with both games taking place at Neath’s Gnoll ground.

Their build-up before travelling to Australia this autumn was also at the Gnoll, a 14-0 loss to Canada in July.

With an aggregate deficit of 144-0 in two matches against their neighbours to ponder before kicking off the tournament against England in Perth on Saturday, 17 October, Wales already know they face a daunting task.

Samoa present a lesser-known quantity for Wales’ second game in Sydney on Friday, 23 October, having last competed at the tournament in 2008.

But then comes the prospect of facing defending champions Australia, also in Sydney, on Sunday, 1 November to complete their Pool A campaign.

Saturday’s meeting with England represents just the 14th full international for Brindle’s side.

“I’m a big believer that anything takes a decade,” said Brindle.

“We’re six years into this journey and we’re not too far off.

“Another ten years from now, we’ll see the impact of this team, Bethan leading the team out on Saturday, but we have to sustain it.

“We know we’re in a tough group, we know there’s going to be challenges but if we live up to our values, I think we’ll grow and be in a better place both in Wales and internationally in ten years time.”

Brindle hopes Wales’ exploits help to grow the game.

“I firmly believe in the international game, if women’s rugby league needs to continue to grow to be successful, we need more internationals, more regularly.

“Over the years that was often driven in the northern hemisphere between France and England.

“I believe our introduction and getting to this point has put more teams on the map and that’s helped inspire more teams around like Ireland and Scotland.”

“We have girls that now want to be Bethan when they grow up, they’re playing more, they’re sending us videos, it’s inspiring.”

Regardless of the result on Saturday, it will be a proud occasion for the squad.

“It’s always an honour to represent Wales in any sport,” said Dainton.

“But I think to captain your country at a World Cup is going to be special and it’s something that nobody can take away from you.

“As soon as we walk out, I think that’s when it’ll start hitting myself and the girls how big this is and how far we’ve come from the first game.”

Wales team to face England:

Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.

Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.