Akpa returned to York midway through the 2023 season after a fruitful spell during the back-end of 2022 in which she won the League Leaders’ Shield.

The front-rower scored two tries in nine appearances for the Valkyrie as Lindsay Anfield’s side sealed a record second successive League Leaders’ and a maiden Grand Final.

Akpa is an experienced campaigner at the elite level of women’s rugby league, having been appointed as France captain following the World Cup in 2022.

The prop was shortlisted for the 2023 Women’s IRL Golden Boot and was rewarded for her displays in France’s three internationals last year.