COUNTDOWN TO COURTNEY’S DELAYED DEBUT

BY DAVE CRAVEN

COURTNEY WINFIELD-HILL has waited five years to play for England, so six more days have not bothered her.

The Leeds Rhinos star (right) makes her belated debut against France today.

Winfield-Hill, 35, was due to feature in the win over Wales last Sunday but was laid low by Covid. Now the Australian, who qualifies via the five-year residency rule, gets her chance as England continue their World Cup warm-up.

She said: “It was disappointing coming down with Covid and not being back in time for the Welsh game.

“But everything happens for a reason. You have to stay patient. What’s another six days? It’s fine in the big scheme of things and makes this weekend more exciting.

“I feel very privileged and grateful for the opportunity.”

A professional cricketer in Queensland, Winfield-Hill moved to the UK in 2018 to be with her partner, Yorkshire and England batter Lauren Winfield. They have since married and Winfield-Hill has become one of the big stars of Women’s Super League.

She said: “It has been a whirlwind since coming over here five years ago.”

ENGLAND: 1 Stanley; 2 Burke, 3 Goldthorp, 4 Hardcastle, 5 Beevers; 6 Winfield-Hall, 7 Roche; 8 Field, 9 Jones, 10 Wood, 11 Rudge (C), 12 Dodd, 13 Cunningham. INTERCHANGE: 14 Hoyle, 15 Bennett, 16 Travis, 17 Whitfield.