HUDDERSFIELD Giants rugby league star Brett Ferres has revealed how he was inspired on his England debut – by receiving a personal good luck message from Rihanna!

But clubmate Eorl Crabtree has admitted his chance meeting with the world’s most famous pop princess left him underwhelmed.

The Giants’ Super League duo had a brief encounter with the superstar ahead of England’s Origin clash with the Exiles at Warrington on Friday night, which the host nation won 30-10, thanks to two tries from fellow Huddersfield player Leroy Cudjoe.

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In the build-up to the game the England squad spent the week in Manchester’s luxury Lowry Hotel, where Rihanna was also staying during her Diamonds World Tour.

And for 27-year-old back-row forward Ferres, a quick chat with the singer proved the icing on the cake.

Explained Brett: “I’d just come back to the hotel, and there were all these screaming fans outside the hotel. At the time I didn’t know why.

“As I waited to get in the lift, the doors opened and out came Eorl, who told me Rihanna was in the lift. ‘Yeah, right!’ I thought.

“But it was true. She was there in the corner behind a bodyguard.

“So I said ‘hi’ to her and wished her good luck for her concert that night. She politely said ‘thank you’ and asked me what I was doing in my England Rugby League tracksuit.

“I explained we’d got the game on Friday night and how important it was, and she wished me the best of luck.

“As far as good luck messages go, it has to be right up there, and it was certainly inspiring!

“I have to admit, I was impressed with her. I’d describe her as quiet, pretty and petite.”

But fellow Giant Crabtree has confessed he’s not really a fan.

“My description of her would be small and frail!” confessed Eorl.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got in the lift and there she was.

“She was pleasant enough, but I’ve never been that big a fan.

“To be honest, when I was in the lift with her, I was just thinking that nobody else would believe me when I told them I was in it with Rihanna.

“But as I got to my floor, the doors opened and there was Brett waiting to get in, so at least we can back each other up.

“I think Rihanna was more his type than mine, although it’s a meeting I know I’m never going to forget”.