2026 Rugby League World Cup: England in ‘do or die’ game with Samoa

“We have a really young group, who will be better for this experience,” he said. “They now know what the game looks like against the best in the world. It was humbling, but the response has been positive.

“The speed of the ball for Australia caught our girls out. The players were saying they have never played in a game so fast in their life. We have had to look at connectivity in our defence.

“It will be a different challenge on Friday. Against Australia our attitude was really good, we were still scrambling to prevent tries in the 69th minute when 70-0 down.”

Barrow has had to make changes to his squad following the loss of key player Eva Hunter to a leg injury suffered against Australia.

It has prompted a pack reshuffle, with Hollie-Mae Dodd moving from prop to the back row. Mary Coleman comes in at prop as a result.

“Eve had a scan and we are waiting on the results, but she is definitely out on Friday,” Barrow said.

“She’s still in her moon boot, but she is surrounded by good people and is relaxed.”

England however have been boosted by captain Jodie Cunningham overcoming a nasty ear injury suffered last week and being able to be named on the bench.

Cunningham had to be rushed to hospital straight after the game for stitches to her ear, with the gory damage shared by the skipper via her Instagram page, external.

“Jodie’s ear is reattached,” Barrow said. “It was not pretty; you would not want your tea straight after seeing it.

“But she taped it up, got on with it [the match against Australia], then straight after the game they went straight to hospital, where they did a great job.”