KEIGHLEY'S Jess Courtman admits representing England in the Women's Rugby League World Cup will be a dream come true.

Courtman is one of ten Bradford Bulls players in the squad flying out to Australia ahead of their first match on November 16.

She was part of the England team who beat France 2-0 in the summer series and is now hoping for more success on the biggest international stage.

The 21-year-old from Long Lee plays centre for the all-conquering Bulls and is hoping for a starting shirt when the Cup campaign gets underway against Papua New Guinea at the Southern Cross Stadium in Sydney.

Playing rugby has always been Courtman's passion and the former Bradford Thunderbirds player has already represented England Students.

She said: "All the hard work is paying off. Since I was 16 going into the women's game I've been chasing this dream.

"Hopefully I can get in the starting line-up and if I could score a try in a World Cup that would stay with me for a very long time."

England also play hosts Australia on November 19 and the Cook Islands on November 22 with the semi-finals following on Sunday, November 26.

Courtman goes into the tournament full of confidence along with her club team-mates after the Bulls won a league and cup double.

She played in the Super League Grand Final in which the Bulls beat Featherstone 36-6 to add to the Challenge Cup they won earlier in the year.

Courtman said: "The club needed a bit of a lift and we’ve given them that. The supporters haven’t celebrated anything for quite a while and I think they enjoyed bit of silverware being brought back to the club."

Bulls head coach Mark Prescott has been the former Oakbank School pupil's coach since she was 13 and has seen her grow in the sport.

She said: "He's so immensely proud of everybody and it's been really emotional. He's flying out to watch us play as well."

Courtman, who is currently in her third year at Leeds Beckett University where she studies physical education, has been seeking sponsorship to help cover costs involved in going to the World Cup.

She gave a speech at business support agency Airedale Enterprise and was overwhelmed by the response.

She can be contacted at jcourtman9596@hotmail.co.uk if anyone is interested in sponsoring her.