Rugby league rivalries can be fierce but even the strongest club allegiances must take a back seat when the call of international duty comes.

Those loyalties were left at the airport as England Women came together in Perth, united by a common cause ahead of the start of their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Wales on Saturday.

After a season spent battling for domestic silverware, Stuart Barrow's players have quickly shifted their focus to representing their country.

"You're always thinking about what's gone before in club land," said Barrow.

"It's been a really competitive back end of the Women’s Super League as well with the new Super Four competition this year.

"They've all been playing each other regularly but they all know that putting that England badge on your chest makes you one united team.

"Club rivalries are soon forgotten when you're at the airport – then all the talk is about England.

"It's really easy, especially with this group of girls, because they get on so well together."

England Women have quickly come together as a group in Perth. (Photo: Peter Keleman/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — England Women have quickly come together as a group in Perth. (Photo: Peter Keleman/SWpix.com)

England are expected to navigate their opening game with a degree of comfort before turning their attention to the ultimate challenge against Australia.

The Lionesses have exclusively played – and comfortably beaten – Wales and France since the 2022 World Cup, barring a chastening encounter with the Jillaroos in Las Vegas.

England were hammered 90-4 stateside last March, underlining the scale of the task facing Barrow's side Down Under over the coming weeks.

But Wigan Warriors have since emerged in the Women's Super League to strengthen England's hand, with Izzy Rowe and Eva Hunter among the exciting young players in the travelling party.

Stuart Barrow believes England are developing their young talent the right way. (Photo: Peter Keleman/SWpix.com)

Indeed, Barrow's squad is packed with emerging talent alongside more experienced figures.

"The pathways that have been established over the last few years, I've really encouraged that kind of development," said the England boss, whose team also play Samoa in Pool A.

"There are 11 girls, I think, out of the 23 here who've come through our pathway and our DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence) programme so I've known these girls for a long time as well. To see some of them emerge so quickly in the Women's Super League is a testament to them, too.

"But it's not possible to do that without people leading the way, like our captain Jodie Cunningham, making people want to join a pathway and making them want to stay in rugby league.

Jodie Cunningham leads her team out for a training session at HBF Park. (Photo: Peter Keleman/SWpix.com)

"We're also excited to bring that little bit of knowledge the NRLW girls have and that little bit of experience from the NRLW. To mix that with our girls is really good."

Barrow's team to face Wales features five players from the sport's premier competition, including former Leeds Rhinos stars Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Roche and ex-York Valkyrie forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.

The group is led by Cunningham, who is preparing to hang up her boots at the end of the World Cup.

The St Helens stalwart has full confidence in the squad that has come together in Perth.

"It's going to be a huge test for us but we're really excited for it." said Cunningham.

"This is a really strong squad and fills me with so much excitement. I'm really hopeful we can go out and do a really good job.

"We've got Wales first and then we know we've got another two really tough games to get out of the group stages.

"The pressure is always on in a World Cup, no matter what, wearing an England badge. There are high expectations that come with that and externally we know that everyone will put high expectations on us.

"We just need to focus on us. If we do that and all play together and get that connectivity that we know we can have, that we're building already in training, then who knows what we can do. But we're ready."

England have beaten Wales by a combined score of 204-0 in their last three meetings, including a 62-0 win last August.

However, Cunningham insists her side will not underestimate their British rivals this weekend.

"We know what Wales are about previously but they've added a lot to that squad," she said.

"We aren't taking them lightly. This is tournament rugby league now and every game is going to be tough. We're going to have to be at our best and are going into this game knowing that we've got to be at 100 per cent.

"All the girls are fighting for shirts as well."