Wales women's head coach Tom Brindle emphasizes the team's ambition to impact rugby league positively as a "small nation punching above their weight." The squad is set to make its Rugby League World Cup debut against England on Saturday in Perth, followed by challenging matches against Samoa and co-hosts Australia in Sydney.

Brindle expressed excitement about this opportunity, stating, "Not only is it a big opportunity for us as Wales and the people of Wales, I think it's a big opportunity for rugby league across Europe." He highlighted the significance of reaching this milestone since the team played its first full international match only in June 2021.

The 21-player squad includes three new caps in the starting lineup, with two additional players on the bench who could also debut. Notably, Hannah Bluck is set to represent Wales in her fourth sport, having previously earned 15 senior caps in rugby union and participated in basketball and U19 football.

Tayla Preston, captain of the Canterbury Bulldogs and a Sydney native, will debut at scrum-half alongside Ffion Lewis, who becomes the first Welsh woman to compete in a World Cup in both rugby codes. Another debutant, Paige Travis, previously represented England in the postponed 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Captain Bethan Dainton remarked on the new players, stating, "They jumped in like they've been part of this team the whole time, you can't tell that they're new to the squad at all." She expressed confidence in the squad's collective strengths and leadership, adding, "They're amazing athletes as well so I'm excited to see how we go as a team on Saturday."