Women's Rugby League World Cup: England call up Courtney Winfield-Hill & Caroline Collie

England have called up former cricketer Courtney Winfield-Hill and ex-goalkeeper Caroline Collie to their Women's Rugby League World Cup squad.

Leeds Rhinos half-back Winfield-Hill, 35, played cricket for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash as well as Queensland before moving to England in 2018.

She married England cricketer Lauren Winfield in 2020 and qualifies for England under the residency rule.

Former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper Collie, 35, has also been selected.

Collie becomes the first player from the Women's Super League South — which was launched in 2021 — to be selected for the England performance squad after an impressive debut season with Bedford Tigers.

«We watched Caroline on several occasions and she really impressed with her speed and agility,» head coach Craig Richards said.

«She's a big running threat and has the ability and confidence to score tries from anywhere on the field, while her frame also makes her a handful in general play for defenders.»

Richards said the inclusion of Australia-born Winfield-Hill owed to «a lot of work behind the scenes».

«Courtney has consistently proven herself as one of the leading players in the Betfred Women's Super League and has been pivotal to Leeds Rhinos' success,» he added.

«She gives us another impressive option in the halves as we prepare, and will create even more competition for places as we head into the mid-season international with France and the Rugby League World Cup on home soil this autumn.»

England, who are set to play France in a mid-season Test at Warrington on 18 June begin their World Cup campaign against Brazil at Headingley on 1 November.

Dannielle Anderson (Leeds Rhinos), Savannah Andrade (York City Knights), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds Rhinos), Keara Bennett