IT IS all change for York Valkyrie as both old and new faces have arrived at the LNER Community Stadium ahead of the new season.

Heading things up is new head coach Leon Pryce who, after five years out of the game, is back and stepping into the shoes left vacant by Lindsay Anfield’s departure.

Anfield left the club after four successful seasons in charge, but after failing to lift any silverware last year, determination will be high to make 2026 one to remember.

While the loss of former Woman of Steel Georgie Dagger, who has retired, will be a tough pill to swallow because of the versatility she adds to the side, the return to full fitness of Tara Jane Stanley will more than offset that. As will, perhaps, the returns of Megan Pakulis and Sade Rihari to the squad.

Pakulis returns after a year with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRLW, while Rihari took a short break from the game, having last played for the club in June 2025.

Both players were involved in the Grand Final victory in 2024, as was Carrie Roberts, who has also rejoined the club after previously announcing her retirement.

With Lisa Parker also returning, the squad may resemble that of the champions from two years ago, but with others around them having strengthened since, results may not.

ONE TO WATCH…

TARA JANE STANLEY is set to make her long-awaited return to action after almost 18 months out. After picking up a serious knee injury against Leeds in September 2024, the hot-footed full-back was forced to watch on as York picked up a second consecutive Grand Final victory just weeks later, before spending the whole of 2025 sidelined. But she is back, and her famous sidestep will no doubt break several defences down. But more than that, the return of her kicking game, both in play and in front of goal, will be a major boost.

COACH’S CORNER with England head coach Stuart Barrow

I AM very interested to watch York this year because Leon Pryce and his coaching staff have come in and are looking to play a slightly different style than York have previously played.

As a player, Leon was a very creative player, so I think we might see a little bit more creativity from York than we have previously.

I know that the team have had a really, really good pre-season and are looking really strong and excited for the season going forward.

Again, they have recruited well, promoted some good youngsters from their academy who’ll be looking for a chance in the first team, and getting Tara Jane Stanley back fit will feel like a new signing for them.

Squad: 1 Tara Jane Stanley, 2 Eboni Partington, 3 Emma Kershaw, 4 Tara Moxon, 5 Chevelle Clarke, 6 Sade Rihari, 7 Ellie Williamson, 8 Liv Wood, 9 Sinead Peach, 10 Jas Bell, 11 Tamzin Renouf, 12 Savannah Andrade, 13 Rhiannion Marshall, 14 Izzy Bibby, 15 Megan Pakulis, 16 Agnes Wood, 17 Charlotte McDaid, 18 Izzy Brennan, 19 Brooke Henderson, 20 T’Leesha Frederick-Maynard, 21 Petra Woods, 22 Carrie Roberts, 23 Monique Donovan, 24 Lisa Parker

RLW predicts: 4th

First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 520 (May 2026)