Leeds Rhinos captain set for England debut: Women's squad named for mid-season Test against Wales
Leeds Rhinos’ Australian-born captain Courtney Winfield-Hill has been named in the England Women’s squad to face Wales this weekend.
The 2019 Woman of Steel qualifies for England through residency and is one of five Leeds players in contention for Sunday’s Test at Cross Keys, in Newport.
Winfield-Hill missed Leeds’ defeat at York City Knights last Sunday after contracting Covid, but England’s management are hopeful she will be available for this weekend.
Dannielle Anderson, Keara Bennett, Fran Goldthorp and Georgia Roche complete the Rhinos contingent.
Bedford Tigers’ Caroline Collie, a former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper, is the first player from Betfred Women’s Super League South to be selected for England.
York City Knights forward Olivia Wood, St Helens half-back Zoe Harris and Huddersfield Giants’ Bethan Oates are also in line for their international debut.
England coach Craig 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 and have earned the opportunity to show us what they can do on the international stage.
“There is a real competition for places among the squad now and 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 and are pivotal in our continued preparations to the World Cup later this year.”
Sunday’s game will be followed by a match against France at Warrington’s HJ Stadium on Saturday, June 18.
The England squad is: Dannielle Anderson (Leeds Rhinos), Keara Bennett (Leeds), Leah Burke (St Helens), Caroline Collie (Bedford Tigers), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Hollie Dodd (York City Knights), Grace Field (York City Knights), Fran Goldthorp (Leeds Rhinos), Amy Hardcastle (St Helens), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Bethan Oates (Huddersfield Giants), Georgia Roche (Leeds Rhinos), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Tara Stanley (York City Knights), Paige Travis (St Helens), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors), Courtney Winfield-Hill (Leeds Rhinos), Olivia Wood (York City Knights).