EMMA Templeton hopes to return for England Community Lions in 2020 after her try-scoring debut in their 24-20 defeat to Wales Women.

The Keighley Cougars star went over the line just before the the break, to put the Lions 16-10 ahead.

However, in the second half, the visitors scored a trio of tries to greet them with their first win as a team in the clash at St Helens.

Templeton is ecstatic that she got the chance to play in the Lions strip and is already looking forward to the next game in the new year.

She said: "It was an unreal feeling. I won't forget it.

"We haven’t had that much time together, training wise, I would have liked more time for us to gel as a team.

"It was a great experience to represent my country but to score as well I am proud as punch.

"In the first half we were really strong. It was a very close game.

"I hope I will be called back when the next programme starts."

It caps off a great season for Templeton after she was pivotal to Keighley Albion's league winning campaign and quarter-final Challenge Cup run, after scoring 29 tries in all competitions.

Since then, Cougars have announced that they now plan to create their own ladies team, reforming that Albion side at Cougar Park.

The aerospace engineer hopes she can be a role model to youngsters coming through and is confident that her side have what it takes to complete back to back promotions.

She said: "That (England Lions cap) was the icing on the cake, a lot of our players are hitting 40 now so if I can be half as good as them when I reach that age, I will be very proud.

"It has been amazing, we want to reach super league and put Keighley on the map.

"We have come so far, I know we can do it, the whole town is behind us and it is such a nice welcoming feeling.

"Now that we have got that professional backing from the Cougars, I hope that it will attract more players from us."