EBONI Partington has been handed the number two shirt for her first season with York Valkyrie.

The England international became the Valkyrie’s first off-season signing after making the move from Betfred Women’s Super League rivals St Helens in November.

She takes the starting right-wing shirt from Liv Whitehead, who joined Leeds Rhinos following her departure from the club during the off-season.

Fellow new signings Lucy Eastwood and Manuqalo Komaitai take shirts 21 and 23 respectively after their respective moves to the club from Warrington Wolves and the British Army earlier this week.

Kelsey Gentles, who missed the entirety of York’s 2023 League Leaders’ Shield and Grand Final double-winning season after welcoming her first child with former York Knights centre Jacob Ogden, has been handed the number 15 shirt.

York Press: Kelsey Gentles will wear the 15 shirt as she returns after welcoming her first child.Kelsey Gentles will wear the 15 shirt as she returns after welcoming her first child. (Image: Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com)

Full-back Tara Jane Stanley keeps her number one shirt, whilst centres Tamzin Renouf and Emma Kershaw again take shirts three and four.

Georgie Hetherington is promoted from shirt 19 to five following a string of impressive performances in 2023, whilst half-backs Sade Rihari and Liv Gale again line up in shirts six and seven.

There are also no changes for Liv Wood, Woman of Steel Sinead Peach, Jas Bell, Lacey Owen and Savannah Andrade, who retain their shirts eight to 12.

Rhiannion Marshall takes up the 13 shirt previously held by Hollie-Mae Dodd - who became the first English woman to sign a contract in the NRL last spring - whilst Georgia Taylor will wear shirt 14 following Aimee Staveley’s retirement.

France captain Elisa Akpa has been handed the 16 shirt, and promising young forward Jess Sharp will wear the 18 shirt vacated by Grace Field.

York Valkyrie 2024 squad numbers:

1. Tara Jane Stanley
2. Eboni Partington
3. Tamzin Renouf
4. Emma Kershaw
5. Georgie Hetherington
6. Sade Rihari
7. Liv Gale
8. Liv Wood
9. Sinead Peach
10. Jas Bell
11. Lacey Owen
12. Savannah Andrade
13. Rhiannion Marshall
14. Georgia Taylor
15. Kelsey Gentles
16. Daisy Sanderson
17. Elisa Akpa
18. Jess Sharp
19. Bettie Lambert
20. Alex Stimpson
21. Lucy Eastwood
22. Eva Izumi
23. Manuqalo Komaitai
24. Ellie Hendry
25. Ashleigh Hyde
26. Carrie Roberts