A HUGE task awaits Warrington’s England stars at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup if they are to bring the trophy home with them from Australia.

Warrington's Jodie Cunningham, Emily Rudge, Danielle Bound and Jenny Welsby will be pouring their heart into the Lionesses’ roars Down Under as they did on home soil four years ago.

But much has changed since 2013, as England vice-captain Cunningham explained.

“We got beat in the semi finals, so we came third overall and it wasn’t the result we were after,” reflected the 25-year-old, who started playing rugby as a student at Cardinal Newman High School 13 years ago.

“Australia beat us by one try, and they went on to win the World Cup. We had such a good squad and we were inches away – that hurt.

“We’d put so much preparation in and we really felt like we had the squad to win it, so there’s definitely unfinished business that we can hopefully put right this November.

“The women’s game in Australia has massively progressed over the past 12 months, as it has here, but it is the main sport over there and there has been a lot of money put into the women’s game and there are full-time professionals there now.

“It is great for the game overall but it does make our job maybe that little bit harder because, as you can imagine, the time they have together for training and progressing is going to be much more when you’re full-time professional.”

However, no amount of money can buy some of the qualities that England’s campaign is built on.

“We’ve put everything we can into this,” explained Cunningham.

“Sometimes when you’re an amateur it means more and you give more – you’re doing it because you love it and it’s everything you want to do.

“That passion is what will come out in our game and is what will give us an extra inch to win it.”

She feels the passion every day.

“For the full-time professional players it makes doing the likes of gym work easier because they have the time to do it,” she said.

“I know myself because I go straight from work into the gym and don’t get home until gone 9pm. I then have my tea and go to bed.

“And that’s been my routine for months. That’s just because I love it and that’s how much I care about it.

“Every day I’m making sure I’m doing the right things to make sure I’m best prepared for getting on that pitch and facing them.

“And it’s across the board, because we love it. You do it because you want to be in a best position.

“I know the Aussies and the Kiwis will be in fantastic shape but it’s about playing rugby, and I know we’re well prepared on and off the field to take on the challenge.”