YORK VALKYRIE coach Leon Pryce expects to have two of his biggest names back from injury in time to play a significant role next season.
Former Woman of Steel Tara Jane Stanley and halfback Liv Gale missed the whole of 2025 with long-term knee injuries, but look set for a return when the new campaign kicks off next year.
“They’ll be ready to go for the season,” Pryce told League Express.
“That will be a big boost for us. I have had a lot of conversations with Tara as she is part of the leadership group and they are both chomping in the bit to get back.
“It’s always good to get your best players back and they are quality players that will make a big difference to the side.”
Pryce is currently preparing for his first pre-season in charge of the Valkyrie after recently being named as successor to Lindsay Anfield, who has left after five success-filled seasons at the LNER Community Stadium.
Under Anfield, York won two League Leaders’ Shields in 2022 and 2023 and went on to become the first side to retain their Grand Final trophy with league titles in 2023 and 2024.
But they finished the latest campaign with no silverware, and Pryce knows that means his players will come into pre-season more determined than ever to enjoy success again.
“We’re still in the off-season at the minute so nobody is in training and I’m just planning for pre-season,” added Pryce.
“But we’ve had a couple of meetings and everyone seems to be reacting positively to the changes.
“There will be something not right if there’s no appetite or desire to win this year. I know from personal experience that when you’ve been used to success and then have a year where you don’t achieve those same things, you do come back a little more hungry to put that right.
“So I know I’m hungry, the girls are hungry, and we’ll be a determined group.
“The World Cup next autumn will be a focus target for a lot of our players too, and we want as many players from the Valks on that international scene as possible.
“But you can only do that if you’re taking care of your club rugby and you play your best rugby week in, week out.”