Australian Courtney Winfield-Hill set for England debut
Photo: Paul Currie/SWpix
Australian Courtney Winfield-Hill is set to make her England debut in Sunday’s test against Wales after qualifying to play via the residency rule.
The 2019 Woman of Steel has been named in England’s 20-woman squad for Sunday’s test against Wales at Cross Keys RFC in Newport.
Australia-born Winfield-Hill qualifies to play for England under the International Rugby League’s ‘residency’ eligibility rule.
Winfield-Hill helped the Rhinos clinch a historic treble in 2019. She also played in the Challenge Cup final at Elland Road earlier this year.
Caroline Collie (Bedford Tigers), Olivia Wood (York), Zoe Harris (St Helens) and Bethan Oates (Huddersfield) could also make their debuts.
Sunday’s game will be shown live on The Sportsman. It will be followed by a home match against France at the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington on Saturday week. The French test will be part of a double-header also including England’s men taking on the Combined Nations All Stars. Both matches will be shown live on Sky Sports.
England debut for Courtney Winfield-Hill
England coach Greg Richards said: “It is brilliant to be able to introduce so many new and talented faces to the side ahead of this weekend’s trip to Wales.
“All of the potential debutants have impressed me in the early stages of the season. They have earned the opportunity to show us what they can do on the international stage.
“There is a real competition for places amongst the squad now. Players need to be performing consistently to wear the England shirt.
“The upcoming mid-season internationals against Wales and France will allow us to see where we are at as a squad. They are pivotal in our continued preparations to the Rugby League World Cup later this year.”
England squad to face Wales: Dannielle Anderson, Keara Bennett, Fran Goldthorp, Georgia Roche, Courtney Winfield-Hill (all Leeds), Leah Burke, Jodie Cunningham, Amy Hardcastle, Zoe Harris, Shona Hoyle, Emily Rudge, Paige Travis, Vicky Whitfield (all St Helens), Hollie Dodd, Grace Field, Tara Stanley, Olivia Wood (all York), Caroline Collie (Bedford Tigers), Bethan Oates (Huddersfield) and Georgia Wilson (Wigan).