Pioneers of Women's Rugby League: Cunningham and Rudge Announce Retirement

Two of England's most iconic women's rugby league players, Jodie Cunningham and Emily Rudge, have announced they will hang up their boots at the end of the season. The St Helens legends, who hold the record for most international caps, have been central to the sport's rise over the past decade.

Cunningham, the current England and St Helens captain, has 34 caps and led her team to multiple Challenge Cup titles. Rudge, the vice-captain, amassed 102 appearances for the club, scoring 48 tries. Their partnership on and off the field has been the backbone of Saints' dominance in women's rugby.

Both players expressed a desire to finish their careers together, with Rudge admitting neither wanted to play without the other. Cunningham, the 2021 Woman of Steel, remains focused on winning more silverware before the season ends, including a potential World Cup berth in Australia this October.

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus hailed them as the Pankhurst sisters of women's rugby league, praising their pioneering spirit. As they transition to off-field roles, Cunningham as head of women's pathways and performance, their legacy will inspire future generations for years to come.