RETURNING Leeds Rhinos centre and newly-capped England debutant Evie Cousins believes she has come back stronger from a hamstring injury that has dogged her season so far.
After scoring six tries in the Rhinos’ two Challenge Cup group games against Leigh Leopards and London Broncos, Cousins then sat out the latter stages of that competition as well as the first six rounds of Super League.
She made her first league appearance of the season against Huddersfield last time out and marked her return with two tries, and just days later was called into the England squad that travelled to France last weekend.
“It’s been a long few months out and it has been a bit frustrating, but to finally get back on the pitch with the girls was really fun,” Cousins told the Rhinos club website.
“I have been working with a lot of people – the physios, the sprint coach – to get it right and strengthened in the ways in needed strengthening.
“I have been doing extra sessions outside of training to work on parts of my hamstring that I didn’t even know I had, so not only do I feel quicker, but I feel stronger and more confident in my running and my speed.
“It’s been a long time coming, but it’s probably been better off in the long run.”