Dave Woods looks ahead to a big weekend of international rugby league for England with men’s coach Shaun Wane, and women’s star Courtney Winfield-Hill of Leeds Rhinos.

England’s men take on an All-Stars side at Warrington on Saturday featuring the best overseas players of Super League, while the women’s team face France in what promises to be an action-packed double header.

For Shaun Wane its the first chance this year to assess his players in competitive action in this World Cup year. While for Courtney, it’ll be the culmination of an incredible sporting transition from playing cricket in Australia to making her international rugby league debut for her adopted new homeland.

TIMECODES:

57” “This is intense”. A chance for players to stake their claim for World Cup places.

3’41 Shaun discusses recalling Catalans’ Michael McIlorum to the international squad after nine years away. Wane considers him to be playing the best in the number 9 position in Super League right now.

4’40 Shaun on whether he would consider selecting St Helens’ legend James Roby who has previously stated his intention to retire from international rugby

6’12 On form of Warrington’s George Williams and whether that is a concern – “he can play a lot better” says Wane but thinks international camp can rejuvenate him.

7’52 On emerging young talent Jack Welsby of St Helens and how excited he is about him.

9’20 On veteran Ryan Hall of Hull KR and why he is still a valued member of the squad

10’56 On whether there is an International future for Warrington’s Gareth Widdop.

11’59 Shaun on his approach to the friendly this weekend. He wants the team to treat it as if its a World Cup game, ignoring the likely high temperatures. Wants a good performance and a good result and is expecting an intense game, particularly as the All Stars team includes England players overlooked for this squad.

15:31 Courtney on likely making her England debut this weekend. Should have started last week against Wales but was recuperating from Covid.

17:30 Courtney tells her story of how she previously played cricket in Australia for Brisbane Heat. Lost her contract with them and moved to the UK shortly after. Couldn’t play cricket in UK for visa reasons but was allowed to play rugby league, having not played it for two decades. Ended up at Leeds Rhinos and now describes playing for England this weekend as the “silver lining to a disappointing ending to her cricket career”

18:38 Courtney on her rugby league heroes growing up.

20’08 Adapting to life in Yorkshire from living in Queensland and how she came to represent England at rugby league.

23’50 On the massive demands made of the players in the England squad in terms of training and juggling with work-life pressures – and how their commitment inspires her.

26’30 On evolution and progress of women’s rugby league during her time in UK.

30’05 On increasing intensity of competition in women’s Super League this season

31’10 On her World Cup ambitions – happy to play anywhere in the England team except prop forward!

35’01 Courtney admits she sings the National Anthem – and if England play Australia she sings both anthems.