French international Mahault Pommier completes York Valkyrie switch

YORK Valkyrie have confirmed the signing of French international Mahault Pommier.

The 19-year-old hooker and half-back is formerly of French outfit AJ Ayguesvives XIII, with Pommier featuring three times for her nation's senior team last year.

A superb debut for Pommier saw her score 18 goals in a 116-0 rout against Serbia, before also representing her country in a 64-0 defeat to England.

Pommier has also featured for France in their 14-4 triumph over Wales, bagging one goal as she continued her impressive form from her debut.

Speaking to the club media team, Pommier stated: "I made my debut for France last year and I decided that I wanted to step up my game and so I wanted to move abroad.

"I spoke to a few players in the France squad that have played abroad and I decided that moving to York was a great idea for me and for my career.

"Since my first training session, the girls have been great with me and they are truly amazing as is Lindsay [Anfield, Director of Rugby]."

“I want to get better technically and coming over to England will be a great challenge because you have to communicate and talk a lot on the pitch and to do that in England will be a big challenge.

“I just hope that my game and I know that it will and I’m looking forward to that.”

Valkyrie Director of Rugby Anfield is equally as excited to welcome Pommier to her ranks, commenting: “Mahault is a natural rugby league player who can kick and is good with the ball in her hands and she’s a good athlete too, so we’re looking forward to seeing her in a Valkyrie shirt.

“Arriving here on a permanent basis means we can get some consistency into her training and get her up to speed with our calls and our plays here at York.

“She’s fitting in with the girls really well and it’s great to have added another quality player to our squad.”

Her debut could come in Sunday’s double-header between both the York Knights and York Valkyrie, welcoming Barrow Raiders and Barrow Raiders Ladies to the LNER Community Stadium.

The Valkyrie will get underway at 12pm with the hope of securing a third straight victory in the Betfred Women’s Super League, after a 44-4 win against Warrington Wolves and a comfortable result of 50-12 versus Huddersfield Giants.