The match, in partnership with Nationwide, will be England’s penultimate game before Hope Powell’s team kick off the 2005 UEFA European Women’s Championship with a Group A clash against Finland at the City of Manchester Stadium on 05 June 2005.

Barnsley’s Oakwell stadium is no stranger to international football having previously hosted an England women’s international in February 2000, when England defeated Portugal 2-0, and most recently an England U19s match against France last November, a game England won 1-0.

England National Coach Hope Powell OBE said: “Norway are a very good team and the game will be a real test for us. This will be one of the last chances the players have to secure their place in the final tournament squad of 20 players. I know they will all be working very hard in this game and I’m sure the fans will see a fantastic match at Oakwell.”

Doncaster Rovers Belles’ star, Vicky Exley, added: “This is almost a home game for me. Games like these are really important for the team as we prepare for Women's Euro 2005 and having a big crowd behind us makes a massive difference so I hope that football fans from across Yorkshire will come along and cheer us on.”

Norway will come to England buoyed by a 5th place finish in the Algarve Cup in March. Despite a 4-0 defeat to reigning World and European Champions Germany, they defeated China and England's Women's Euro 2005 Group A rivals Denmark, as well as drawing 1-1 against Sweden.

Currently ranked 3rd in the world, they will give Hope Powell's side the toughest test of their eight warm-up games, and feature players, who like England, will be aiming to play their way into Bjarne Berntsen's Women's Euro 2005 squad.

Barnsley FC general manager, Don Rowing, said: “We are delighted that international football is coming back to Oakwell. Women’s football is the top female sport in the country and this game gives fans the chance to see the country’s top players in action, I hope both teams enjoy playing at Oakwell.”

Tickets for the match are on sale now from the Barnsley FC ticket office or by calling the ticket hotline on 01226 211211.  Tickets are priced at £3 for adults/£1concessions in advance and £5/£2 on match day.

There are special discounts available for schools and football clubs, on application to Barnsley FC – group booking forms can be downloaded here or from http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/.

Media requests should be made to Rob Knowles at Barnsley FC on 01226 211211.