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Dave Woods, Shaun Wane & Courtney Winfield-Hill look ahead to a big weekend for England

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

England鈥檚 men take on an All-Stars side at Warrington on Saturday featuring the best overseas players of Super League, while the women鈥檚 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鈥檒l 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鈥 鈥淭his is intense鈥. A chance for players to stake their claim for World Cup places.

3鈥41 Shaun discusses recalling Catalans鈥 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鈥40 Shaun on whether he would consider selecting St Helens鈥 legend James Roby who has previously stated his intention to retire from international rugby

6鈥12 On form of Warrington鈥檚 George Williams and whether that is a concern 鈥 鈥渉e can play a lot better鈥 says Wane but thinks international camp can rejuvenate him.

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

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

10鈥56 On whether there is an International future for Warrington鈥檚 Gareth Widdop.

11鈥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鈥檛 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 鈥渟ilver lining to a disappointing ending to her cricket career鈥

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

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

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

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

30鈥05 On increasing intensity of competition in women鈥檚 Super League this season

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

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

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36 minutes

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