3 days ago
Valkyrie bring in French international Sarah Menaa to bolster ranks
YORK Valkyrie have added French international Sarah Menaa to their ranks.
Menaa joins the Valkyrie for the remainder of the 2025 season, having made the switch from Catalans Goddesses.
The 21-year-old has been a part of the Catalans team that won the French Championships on three different occasions, whilst also being capped four times for the France national team.
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Menaa is able to operate at either prop or in the second-row, and has been described as both a strong attacker and defender, arriving into York with a reputation of being a highly-skilled player.
Menaa commented after her move to the Valkyrie was announced: 'I'm really excited to come to York and to have the opportunity to play in the Super League.
'It's a huge challenge for me, and I'll give everything I have to help the Valkyries go all the way!"
Valkyrie's Director of Rugby Lindsay Anfield added: 'Sarah is a hard hitting middle who has good ball handling skills, as well as enjoying the contact aspect of the game.
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'She has a wealth of experience playing rugby league for Catalans and for the French national team, and I think she will thrive in our environment.
'In the past we have had training camps in Perpignan where Sarah has trained with us and shown she has the talent to be competitive in our league.
'Competition for shirts is what we need going into this next stage of the season, and we look forward to seeing what she can do in Valk colours.'
Menaa could make her debut for York in Saturday's game at Leigh Leopards' Golborne Parkside (2pm), with her arrival coming at a good time for the Valkyrie, who announced on social media last night that first-team options Kelsey Gentles and Jess Sharp have left the club.
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Sharp has since been announced as a Leeds Rhinos player, having won York's Young Player of the Year for the 2024 season.
Gentles' exit comes as a surprise after initially joining the club in 2021, having also scored a try in the last season's Women's Super League Grand Final for the Valkyrie.
