She's waited five years to play for England but finally Leeds Rhinos star Courtney Winfield-Hill will make her England debut today. The 35-year-old was supposed to feature in the win over Wales last Sunday but was laid-low by Covid, but after such a long wait, another six days won't do much damage.
The Australian, who qualifies via the five-year residency rule, gets her chance this afternoon as England continue their World Cup warm-up. She said: “It was disappointing coming down with Covid and not getting my return-to-play 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 all the more exciting. I feel very privileged and grateful for the opportunity. We’re hoping to put on a show.”
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A professional cricketer in Queensland, she made the decision to move to the UK in April 2018 to be with her partner, the Yorkshire and England batter Lauren Winfield. They have since married and Winfield-Hill has become one of Women’s Super League’s biggest stars.
She said: “It has been a whirlwind since coming over here five years ago, changing sports and everything else. But without Covid, I wouldn’t be in this situation right now; if the World Cup had not been postponed last year, I’d have missed the opportunity to be eligible by five months.
“So from all bad things there’s a silver lining and maybe this is mine. I was more than happy to pull up stumps last year and finish playing at the end of 2021. But the World Cup being delayed until this year, and now being eligible for England, was definitely a carrot dangled and a really good motivator to continue playing.”
They face France in a double-header at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium ahead of the men’s team facing the Combined Nations All Stars. England’s wheelchair side play France in Manchester tomorrow.
