ENGLAND head coach Stuart Barrow said that six players hoping to debut for his side in Saturday’s match against Wales at Headingley will be “standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Huddersfield full-back Amelia Brown, Leeds prop Izzy Northrop, St Helens centre Erin Stott, plus Wigan trio Mary Coleman, Eva Hunter and Jenna Foubister could all make their first senior international appearances.

When asked if their inclusion in the squad signalled a new generation of talent, Barrow told the PA news agency: “I think they’ll be standing on the shoulders of giants.

“There’s a lot of young talent coming through, but they can’t go straight into the England squad without being supported by some of the senior experienced players like Jodie Cunningham, Amy Hardcastle and Shona Hoyles.

“We’d like to get the blend right so the younger players have the best opportunity to develop at the right rate.

“After the 2021 World Cup there’s been a massive increase in the number of girls playing the game.

“We’ve put a pathway in place and we’ve seen some people progress through that.

“We have the Diploma in Sporting Excellence programme, which is our 16-18-year-olds’ pathway and out of a 20-player squad nine have come through.”

Former York second row Hollie-Mae Dodd is line for her first England appearance since moving to Canberra in 2023, while Barrow is expecting Wales to provide a sterner test than they did when the two sides last met.

England ran in 11 tries in a 60-0 rout at Headingley in November last year.

Barrow said: “I think the progress Wales have made over the last few years under [head coach] Tom Brindle has been really impressive.

“With the World Cup qualifiers they’ve had this year, they’ve united as a group. Obviously getting to the 2026 World Cup has also allowed them to attract some players. I’m expecting a real physical battle.”

England beat France 42-0 in Toulouse in their previous match in July and after facing Wales will next play in March, against world champions Australia in Las Vegas.

“All our focus is on the 2026 World Cup, but in everything we do we look for continual progression and we have some of our own values and standards that we’re looking to hit, starting on Saturday,” Barrow said.

England face Wales in a 12pm kick-off as part of a Headingley double-header, with England men looking to seal a 2-0 Test series win against Samoa at 2pm.

Barrow said: “Anyone who’s never had the opportunity to watch the women’s game, I think they’ll be really excited by what they see at Headingley.

“It’s fast, it’s furious and you’d be surprised by some of the contact and skill on show.”