England v Australia: Georgie Dagger gets 2025 under way in Las Vegas after packed 12 months

Georgie Dagger had so many big days last year that, in the end, she couldn’t fit them all in. If all goes well in Las Vegas, her 2025 diary might be just as busy.

Last June, she made her England debut. In October, she was player of the match as York Valkyrie won a second straight Women’s Super League Grand Final. Then she was named Woman of Steel.

In November, she would have been in line for a second international appearance – but the match clashed with her wedding.

So on the day England earned their biggest-ever win by defeating Wales 82-0 in Leeds, Dagger was the best part of 3,000 miles away in Cyprus.

It was there that the full-back, formerly known as Georgie Hetherington, married her long-term partner Will Dagger, who plays in the men’s Championship for York Knights.

Now, she’s with England in Vegas.

Having been given head coach Stuart Barrow’s blessing to miss the Wales match, she is back on international duty as part of the 20-strong squad for Saturday’s Test against world champions Australia.

“I got married on the same weekend that the Wales game was happening,” the 27-year-old said. “We’d booked the wedding way in advance and at that point there weren’t any clashes. So we were like ‘Yep, we’re all good to go’.

“And then the news of the game came out and I said to Stu: ‘I’m really sorry, I won’t be available. I’m getting married.’ And he said: ‘It’s a good enough excuse to miss the game.’

“We followed updates on social media on the day, so we kept on board with what was going on.

“It’s been great to get back around the girls and back in the environment. I’m excited and up for the challenge ahead.”