Leeds Rhinos half-back Georgia Roche heralds landmark moment for women's game at World Cup

Hosts England get the tournament under way against debutants Brazil as part of a double-header that also sees Papua New Guinea and Canada face off.

There is a chance Headingley could break the attendance record of 15,863 for an England women's home international in either code of rugby, set during union's Six Nations earlier this year.

Whether the record is broken or England's rugby league women have to wait a little longer, a five-figure crowd is a landmark moment for the game in this country.

Leeds Rhinos half-back Georgia Roche said: “It’s incredible and shows how far the women’s game has come since 2013 and playing games at the likes of Dewsbury Rams.”

One of the stars of Super League, Roche was the inaugural Woman of Steel in 2018 when she played for Castleford Tigers and a nominee again this year in Leeds colours.

All four winners of the award – Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill, Jodie Cunningham and Tara-Jane Stanley – are in England’s squad to take on Brazil.

Craig Richards' side are expected to reach at least the semi-finals but, in all probability, will need to beat both Australia and New Zealand to lift the trophy at Old Trafford on November 19.

A defiant Roche has a message for England's southern hemisphere rivals, the only previous World Cup winners.

"I think a few people are underestimating what we’ve got," she said.

"We have got a talented bunch who are willing to work hard so all I can say is: don’t write us off and expect the unexpected."

That Roche is playing in the World Cup is an achievement in itself.

The 22-year-old's tournament hopes appeared to be over when she suffered a broken ankle and ligament damage in August, an injury that ruled her out of Leeds' Grand Final win over York City Knights.

But Roche is poised to complete a remarkable comeback in the opening game.

“Getting injured at the back end of the year, I didn’t actually think I’d be here,” she said.

“Overcoming that and being selected in the squad was massive for me. It is crazy what you can put your mind to when you really want something.

“You have to be smart as well. If I’d not had a chance I wouldn’t have put myself through it, but I always knew there was an end goal.

“I have been back training now for three weeks and my ankle has held up with no issues at all. It is as good as new. I am really excited and ready to get going."

Women's rugby league remains part-time in England but the Rhinos are intent on changing that.

Leeds are set to become the first club to pay bonuses and incentives to their players as they take another significant step towards running a professional women’s team.

“It’s great but we’ve done it for so long without those things, I don’t think much from us will change,” added Roche.

“It is just a nice bonus to add to everything else.”