FORMER Oakbank School pupil Jess Courtman has been named in the England women's rugby league squad for the World Cup in Australia.

Courtman, from Long Lee, is one of ten members of the all-conquering Bradford Bulls squad picked for national duty for the tournament next month.

The announcement caps a great week for the player and her Bulls team-mates, who won the inaugural Super League Grand Final last weekend against Featherstone to follow up their Challenge Cup triumph.

Almost half of England coach Chris Chapman’s selection for the finals are based at Odsal, underlining the club’s perfect season which saw them win every game.

Joining Courtman from Bulls in the 23-strong squad are Amy Hardcastle, Beth Sutcliffe, Charlotte Booth, Claire Garner, Danika Priim, Kirsty Moroney, Lois Forsell, Shona Hoyle and Stacey White.

It will be a fourth World Cup appearance for Bulls skipper Moroney and hooker Forsell. Andrea Dobson of Featherstone will once again captain the team.

Head coach Chapman said: “It’s been extremely tough to select a squad of only 23 players to compete in this year’s World Cup as all players have worked hard throughout the season for England and their respective clubs.

“We appreciate it is a big challenge against experienced professional players and it is one we are all looking forward to.”

The squad are set to fly out to Australia on Friday, November 10 and will play three pool games at the Southern Cross Group Stadium in Sydney against Papua New Guinea Orchids, Australian Jillaroos and The Cook Islands.

All Women’s Rugby League World Cup games are staged as triple-headers and will be played on November 16, November 19 and November 22.

The semi-finals take place on Sunday, November 26, with the final played as a curtain-raiser to the men’s World Cup final at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on December 2.