England women rugby league: Wait continues to find next opponents

In preparing for World Cups and major Tests, one issue for England is the scarcity of northern hemisphere opposition to face on an equal footing.

The costs of attracting a touring nation such as Tonga or Papua New Guinea are prohibitive. Likewise the notion of making the trip south.

Tests against Wales and France have been won by big scores, and perhaps that made the size of England’s Vegas defeat such a shock.

St Helens head coach Dec Hardman – who has worked with England internationals such as Vicky Whitfield and Jodie Cunningham for years at club level – was part of Stuart Barrow’s staff for the trip to the USA.

And he believes it was the right decision to face the Jillaroos.

“The only way we were ever going to know where we’re at was to play that fixture,” Hardman told BBC Sport. “Was it the right time of year? Not quite sure. When is the right time?

“When you play that fixture, it does give you a reality check, but sometimes you need that, to go and make you hungry for what you’re going to experience in 18 months’ time.

“Ultimately, these girls could have a fixture with Australia on the Sunday, the Kiwis on a Wednesday, and Tonga, Samoa or Cook Islands the following week. So it’s: How do we bridge that gap of being competitive?”

Hardman does not claim to have the answers, but believes part of the solution is to listen to the players.

“The big thing is the players having an opinion,” Hardman added.

“It’s important that they tell you how they’re feeling because they are the ones living it.

“They give you the feedback, what their expectations are moving forward. Whether the Rugby Football League [RFL] can meet those expectations or not, I’m not sure.

“Certainly they should have a voice, for sure.”