Eels recruit named in England squad for Vegas Test

England strike forward Paige Travis is set to join the Eels on a two-year contract after the historic March 1 Test against the Jillaroos at Allegiant Stadium.

Travis was one of three NRLW contracted players selected in a 31-strong train-on squad for Las Vegas, along with Knights five-eighth Georgia Roche and Raiders second-rower Hollie-Mae Dodd.

The 25-year-old, who has played in four Challenge Cup winning teams with St Helens, said she wanted to test herself in the NRLW and was looking forward to the move to Parramatta.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Parramatta Eels and to challenge myself in the NRLW,” Travis said.

“I’ve watched a lot of the NRLW games, and the Eels have really impressed me as a team who play with passion and for each other.

“I look forward to meeting the girls and bringing my experience to the squad next year."

Travis was a member of the England team that played Wales last month and scored three tries.

She will train twice a month under England coach Stuart Barrow during the build-up to Vegas, with a 20-player travelling squad set to be announced in February. The first training session is on Saturday, December 7.

“We’ve had a few weeks to recuperate following the Autumn international against Wales but now all eyes are firmly on the Jillaroos," Barrow said.

“With the fixture coming before the beginning of the Betfred Women’s Super League we have a regular training schedule from now until mid-February to make sure we’re match ready.

“Everyone in this squad has a chance to earn themselves a spot on the plane to Vegas and that is a testament to the quality we have within the group.”

Four players who faced the Jillaroos in the teams' last meeting back in 2017 are in the train-in squad; Jodie Cunningham, Amy Hardcastle, Shona Hoyle and Emily Rudge, who was also in the starting line-up for England when they faced Australia in the 2013 World Cup.

Roche is poised to link up with England once again following another impressive season with Newcastle Knights, having been unavailable for the Wales international.

Dodd is named after a try-scoring return to the international side against Wales with Travis also selected ahead of her move to Parramatta Eels, which was announced on Thursday.

Known for her cheeky wink and dinosaur hair plait, Travis played rugby union as a junior before joining St Helen’s at just 19 years of age.

😉 When you spot yourself on the big screen!

🏆 #ChallengeCup pic.twitter.com/LMH2dNv4kd — Betfred Challenge Cup (@TheChallengeCup) June 8, 2024

Her career to date is impressive with eight Tests caps for England, including the last World Cup in 2022. She played 65 Super League games for Saints, scoring 35 tries.

England versus the Jillaroos will be the penultimate match of a quadruple header at the Allegiant Stadium featuring a Super League clash between Wigan and Warrington, and two NRL matches - Raiders v Warriors and Panthers v Sharks.

Parramatta officials confirmed Travis would be available for selection in the Vegas Test before joining the Eels NRLW squad based at the club's new Centre of Excellence in mid-2025.

“The Parramatta Eels are excited to sign a player of the calibre of Paige Travis,” GM of Football, Mark O’Neill, said.

“Paige brings a wealth of experience at Test, World Cup, and club level, and her exceptional footwork and strength will be a fantastic addition to our squad.

“NRLW fans will be in for a treat when Paige takes to the field in the Blue & Gold and displays some of that Lancashire magic."

England squad

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