Eight York Valkyrie in England National Performance Squad

Jas Bell, Georgie Hetherington, Lacey Owen, Sinead Peach, Tamzin Renouf, Tara-Jane Stanley, Liv Wood and new signing Eboni Partington have all been named in Stu Barrow's 27-player squad ahead of their first training session later this month.

Former Valkyrie prop Grace Field, who swapped York for fierce rivals Leeds Rhinos at the campaign's conclusion, is also included, as is back-rower Hollie-Mae Dodd after seeing her debut NRLW season cut short by a devastating ACL injury.

New recruit Eboni Partington is also included after a stellar season with St Helens. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA)

The Betfred Women's Super League 'big three' continue to dominate the squad selection, York's rivals Leeds and St Helens boasting seven inclusions each.

Anna Davies is Wigan Warriors' sole representative, whilst winger Amelia Brown, who became one of the first female players in Huddersfield Giants' history to sign a professional contract at the end of last year, makes the step up from the England Knights.

Emma Kershaw is among a trio of Valkyrie players named in the England Knights squad. (Image: Craig Hawkhead)

Further members of the Valkyrie's double-winning squad have also been recognised, with Liv Gale, Emma Kershaw, and young forward Jess Sharp all included in the England Knights squad.

An ever-present at half-back, Gale contributed five tries for Lindsay Anfield's side last term, whilst Sharp impressed both for York and dual registration club Hull KR.

Kershaw's 11-try return, gained playing at both centre and on the wing, saw her among the nominees for the RFL's BWSL Young Player of the Year.

Former Valkyrie talent Liv Whitehead, who joined Field in making the move to Leeds at the end of the season, is also included in the Knights' squad, as is pacey back Grace Banks, who scored a stunning length-of-the-field try in Wigan's Play-off Semi Final defeat at the LNER Community Stadium in September.

On his squad selections, head coach Barrow enthused: “I’m really pleased to be able to give some new players a chance in both the Knights and Senior England set-up this year, and it’s especially exciting given that so many of them have been involved in both the Knights and DiSE programmes.

“The size and depth of each squad proves just how much the Betfred Women’s Super League is continuing to improve and there are some fantastic young talents in this year’s Knights squad. I’m expecting these players to keep on developing and pushing for a place in the senior team as the season progresses.”

England Senior National Performance squad: Caitlin Beevers (Leeds Rhinos), Jasmine Bell (York Valkyrie), Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Leah Burke (St Helens), Caitlin Casey (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie-Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Grace Field (Leeds Rhinos), Francesca Goldthorp (North Queensland Cowboys), Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos), Georgie Hetherington (York Valkyrie), Zoe Hornby, Shona Hoyle (Leeds Rhinos), Tara Jones, Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Lacey Owen, Eboni Partington, Sinead Peach, Tamzin Renouf (all York Valkyrie), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Tara-Jane Stanley (York Valkyrie), Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield (both St Helens), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie).

England Knights National Performance squad: Emily Baggaley (Warrington Wolves), Grace Banks (Wigan Warriors), Chloe Billington (Featherstone Rovers), Mary Coleman (Wigan Warriors), Jasmine Cudjoe, Ruby Enright (both Leeds Rhinos), Liv Gale (York Valkyrie), Phoebe Hook (St Helens), Eva Hunter, Molly Jones (both Wigan Warriors), Emma Kershaw (York Valkyrie), Lucy Murray, Izzy Northorp (Leeds Rhinos), Beri Salihi, Lucie Sams (both St Helens), Jess Sharp (York Valkyrie), Georgia Sutherland, Erin Stott (both St Helens), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Amy Taylor (St Helens), Danielle Waters (Featherstone Rovers), Olivia Whitehead (Leeds Rhinos), Megan Williams (St Helens).