Rob Hawkins balances chronic fatigue with England World Cup push

Rob Hawkins says managing chronic fatigue syndrome has helped him return to elite sport and become one of England’s leading wheelchair rugby league players, as the team prepares to face Australia in Tuesday’s World Cup semi-final in Wollongong.

The 25-year-old winger, who plays for England and Halifax Panthers, took up rugby league in 2014 after spending 18 months largely bedbound. He said he had meant to try wheelchair basketball, but arrived at a session that turned out to be wheelchair rugby league.

“I jumped into a chair for about 20 minutes before my body probably wouldn’t let me continue any more,” Hawkins told BBC Sport. “I just kept wanting to go back and get better.”

Hawkins said his condition had once left him relying on walking frames or family members to get to the toilet, and he missed two years of high school. He still needs extra rest at times and says pacing himself is important.

He has since become a central figure in England’s bid to retain the title they won four years ago. Hawkins has scored 14 tries at this tournament, and won the International Wheelchair Player of the Year award and its Golden Boot in both 2024 and 2025. He is also Super League’s reigning Wheels of Steel, awarded to the competition’s best player.

England reached the semi-finals by topping Pool A, beating Wales 98-18, the United States 134-0 and Ireland 68-32. They meet hosts Australia at 08:45 GMT on Tuesday. England are favourites, but Hawkins said the team expected a difficult game and was relishing the pressure.

England are seeking a third World Cup title, which would make them the first nation to win the wheelchair tournament three times. Hawkins was part of the side that won in 2022.