How Hawkins overcame illness to star for England

When Rob Hawkins replied to what he thought was an advert to play wheelchair basketball in 2014 he could not have imagined he would be a key part of an England side defending their Rugby League World Cup title. Rob Hawkins has scored 14 tries for England at this Rugby League World Cup When Rob Hawkins replied to what he thought was an advert to play wheelchair basketball more than a decade ago he could not have imagined he would be a key part of an England side defending their Rugby League World Cup title. While the men's and women's teams have already returned home, England face Australia in Wollongong on Tuesday (08:45 GMT) in the semi-finals of the Wheelchair competition, aiming to take another step towards becoming the first nation to lift the trophy on three occasions.

However, 25-year-old Hawkins, who was a big presence in the side to triumph in Manchester four years ago, has also had to overcome the odds – and a battle with chronic fatigue syndrome – to become one of the stars of the international game. The England and Halifax Panthers wing only took up rugby league in 2014 after being bedbound for 18 months, and following a quirk of fate. "Before my condition I was very sporting and athletic. I'd been doing running,