IT'S a day spent with the Duke of Sussex that Jodie Cunningham will never forget.

The women's rugby league star from Warrington laughed and joked with 'Prince Harry' on the Buckingham Palace lawns before he led the way in making today's 2021 Rugby League World Cup draws.

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Pictures: Yui Mok/PA Wire

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For the Duke of Sussex, who is patron of the Rugby Football League, it was a first public engagement since he and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced they are to 'step back' from senior roles in the royal family.

READ: The draws for Rugby League World Cup 2021

Jodie, an England international who started out in the sport while studying at Cardinal Newman High School, has been a full-time RLWC2021 ambassador for 12 months and worked with children from a London school to show the Duke their rugby league skills before the formal proceedings of the draw got underway.

 



 

 

"Not quite sure I can put today into words. Literally pinching myself," she said on Twitter.



 

Jodie, a utility back, has been a mainstay of the women's national team since 2013.

She has represented her country in two world cups and will be hoping to make it a hat-trick when what is expected to be the biggest and most inclusive world cup yet takes place at major venues across England next year.

Jodie has been a vice-captain of her country and was co-captain of St Helens in the Women's Super League last year.

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Jodie Cunningham celebrates a win with St Helens during 2019. Picture: SWpix.com



 

IN PICTURES: Jodie's RLWC2021 ambassador work over past 12 months

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Pictures by SWpix.com 

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