YORK rugby league star Michelle Handley will make her international debut tonight as Great Britain and Ireland bid for a place in the final of the Rugbee.com Women's World Series.

The former Acorn Ladies prop forward has been named on the bench for the crunch play-off clash against Australia at the Jungle, home of Castleford Tigers (7.30pm).

The winners of tonight's match will face favourites New Zealand Ferns in Friday's final at Warrington.

It is just reward for two years of hard work for Handley, who was disappointed to be left out of the side for Britain's opening two matches.

Those games saw Britain lose 22-12 to New Zealand in their opening group match, then defeat Australia 14-10.

Having beaten the Aussies once, Britain are confident they can complete a prestigious double tonight.

However, team manager Roland Davis, former general manager of York Wasps, is aware of the threat the Australians pose.

"They lost 50-6 to New Zealand on Friday but they did play well for long periods. We have watched the video of that game and they missed too many tackles but they are strong opposition," he said.

"We're confident but not over-confident. The team spirit in the British camp is very good."

Handley, now plying her trade in the top flight of the women's game with the all-conquering Wakefield Townville Panthers, is certain to get a run out at some stage during the game.

It marks a rapid rise through the ranks for Handley, who is a late-starter at international level.

She was first called into the British squad in April last year, at the age of 32, while playing for Acorn.

Since then she has gone from strength to strength and has combined a rigid training programme with being mother to her four children at home in York.

"I am delighted that the hard work of two years has paid off and I'm looking forward to playing Test football for the first time," said Handley, who is the cousin of York Wasps' new signing Paddy Handley.

A try from substitute Paul Birdsall 13 minutes from the end secured the Emerging Nations Championship for the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) Lions with a 20-14 win over Italy.

The forward from the Castleford Lock Lane club picked up a loose ball close to the Italian line to grab the try that broke the deadlock in a fiercely-contested final in front of a 1,600 crowd at Dewsbury.

There was never more than six points between the sides and, with three tries apiece, Britain were indebted to inspirational hooker Marc Jackson, who caused all sorts of problems with his running from dummy half and also kicked four goals from six attempts.

York Wasps' Former Players' Association has hired a corporate box for all the Wasps' league games at Huntington Stadium for the forthcoming Northern Ford Premiership season.

Any ex-players wishing to attend any of the games should contact the secretary, Denzil Webster, on York 791510.