FIVE Thatto Heath-St Helens players featured in a shock defeat for England at the Women’s Rugby League World Cup.

Despite the 22-16 loss to the Cook Islands in the early hours of this morning, Jodie Cunningham, Emily Rudge, Dannielle Bound, Tara-Jane Stanley, Chantelle Crowl and the rest of their England teammates will still be in the competition’s semi-finals, which take place on Sunday.

They pipped their conquerors to second place in Pool A on points difference, with Australia topping the group.

Vice-captain Cunningham and Rudge started at full-back and second row respectively, with Stanley starting on the wing and Crowl in the front row while Bound came off the bench as interchange hooker.

England trailed 16-0 at the break, but tries from Emma Slowe, Amy Hardcastle and Kayleigh Bulman dragged the Lionesses level with seven minutes remaining.

However, a try in the last minute from Te Amohaere Ngata-Aerengamate sealed a momentous victory for the Moanas, who started as massive outsiders following heavy defeats to Australia and New Zealand in their previous outings.