And England skipper Jodie Cunningham says she is “owed a pint” for the role she played in getting Saints wing Dani McGifford on the radar of the Wales rugby league coaching staff.

The 31-year-old former heptathlete was a relative latecomer to rugby league having spent more than 10 years in athletics but the speedy wing has taken to the oval ball game after joining Saints in 2023.

St Helens' Dani McGifford celebrates scoring a try (Image: John Clifton/SWpix.com)

Although born in Crewe, McGifford qualifies for Wales under the heritage rule – and will come up against England on Saturday.

Cunningham said: “Dani McGifford is one of the loveliest human beings you will ever meet.

“She is fairly new to rugby league so the journey she has been on has been outstanding.

“I remember having a conversation with the Welsh coach three years ago and said ‘Dani is Welsh and is an outstanding athlete and somebody who would offer a lot to that environment’.

“Dani has proved herself on the field and now gets an opportunity with Wales.

“I said to Dani then that if she makes the World Cup in three years she will owe me a pint, so she can get me a drink when all this is done.”

Joining McGifford in wearing the red dragon badge is fellow Saint Paige Travis, who has switched from England from the 2022 World Cup.

England skipper Jodie Cunningham. (Image: Peter Keleman/SWpix.com)

Cunningham and fellow Saints forward Vicky Whitfield will be on opposite sides – and will put their clubmate loyalties on hold when they pull on the England shirt.

“We know what Wales are about and they have added to it with players like Paige Travis.

“Paige is not a player I like to come up against and I am sure she’ll be feisty and fiery and at her best.

“That is an additional element. We are not taking Wales lightly – this is tournament football and we are going to have to be at our best.

“With Dani and Paige I wish them all the best for the tournament, but as soon as we are on that field we are on opposite sides.

“Those two will be the same as they are both very competitive.

“We’ll be at war for that full game but after that we’ll be back to being teammates and a full respect for each other,” Cunningham said.