Huddersfield Giants back Marcus St Hillaire has received the perfect early birthday present with the news that he has been called into the England squad for next weekend's World Sevens tournament in Sydney.
St Hillaire, who celebrates his 26th birthday this Sunday - the day the 12-man squad sets off Down Under - has been called up as a replacement for injured St Helens' winger Anthony Stewart.
St Hillaire was named on a stand-by list of players to cover for injuries to the Sevens squad which was selected on a 1-player per club basis.
His call-up is means he has achieved a unique double. In an unprecedented move, St Hillaire went "on loan" to the England Rugby Union Sevens squad for last summers' Commonwealth Games.
Commenting on the call-up, Marcus St Hillaire said, "When I heard I was really shocked especially because there were no Giants players in the original tour party.
"The Commonwealth Games call-up was a shock but to be involved in the Rugby League World Sevens is on a par and I intend to grab this chance with both hands. It's even better that we fly out on the day of my birthday. What a great present !"
England Sevens squad coach Mike Gregory commented, "We know what Marcus can do, he's got genuine pace and we're confident he'll do really well."
Marcus St Hillaire spent his entire career as a professional player with Leeds Rhinos before signing a two year contract with Huddersfield Giants at the end of the last year.