Leeds Beckett trio head to Vegas with England RL

Second year PE student Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos) joins alumni Tamzin Renouf (York Valkyrie) and Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos) in the 20-strong squad for March 1’s showpiece game against world champions Australia.

The players have benefited from the talented athlete scholarship scheme (TASS) at Leeds Beckett, which gives student-athletes access to world-class coaching, performance facilities, strength and conditioning programmes, and guidance in nutrition and sports psychology

Current students Evie Cousins (Leeds Rhinos) and Caitlin Casey (St Helens) had also been part of the 31-player training squad based at Leeds Beckett's Headingley campus this weekend, while alumna Leah Burke (St Helens) continued her rehabilitation following an ACL injury suffered in last year's Grand Final.

The final squad will face the Jillaroos in Vegas as part of a festival of Rugby League designed to spread the game into the huge US market. The international women's game will follow three matches featuring top men's club sides from New Zealand and England.

The players reacted to their selections after a tough six-week training block with the squad.

Hooker Bella Sykes said: "I'm super happy and grateful. I told myself work hard and just see what happens, so I am just really happy. The camp been really good. Even today when it has been tough, everyone has got around each other, congratulated those that did get in and put their arms around those that didn't."

Keara Bennett added: "It is always an honour to play for your country, but to go and play against the world champs is going to be incredible."

Centre Tamzin Renouf says she is: "really excited after a tough couple of months... I am really glad the hard work paid off."

This weekend's camp involved speed, strength and conditioning tests on Leeds Beckett's Carnegie School of Sports building and the new 3G pitches, as well as skills sessions on the field.

England captain Jodie Cunningham said: "Leeds Beckett is basically our home - we've been lucky enough to be based here for a while now. These are world class facilities that we are really fortunate enough to get access to, and that allows us to be world class at what we do."

Sean Scantlebury, head of performance at England Women's RL and research fellow at Leeds Beckett University, said: "The partnership between England and Leeds Beckett gives us a performance hub and state-of-the-art facilities to compete and showcase our ability on a huge stage.

"Rugby league is fast-paced, hard-hitting and athletic - everything US audiences love."

View the full squad and details of how to watch the team's final training session before the trip to Vegas at England RL.