England’s most-capped women’s international rugby league players Jodie Cunningham and Emily Rudge are to retire at the end of the season.
Cunningham is the current St Helens and England skipper and has 34 international caps, one more than Saints vice-captain Rudge who also led her country from 2018 to 2023.
Both have been with Saints since the formation of the women’s side eight years ago, and have 197 appearances for the club between them.
The 2021 Woman of Steel, Cunningham led St Helens to a league title, two League Leaders’ Shields, and four straight Women’s Challenge Cups between 2021 and 2024.
“Rugby league has given me everything in life and I am so grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had playing the sport I love,” Cunnigham told the club website.
“There’s still a long way to go with a Challenge Cup final, the Women’s Super League and, hopefully, a World Cup at the end of the year.
“But knowing this is my last season just makes me even more motivated to go out and give everything I’ve got to hopefully lift some silverware.”
‘We didn’t want to play without the other’
Sharing the same club honours as her lifelong friend, Rudge became only the second women’s player to reach 100 match appearances for the club, following Channy Crowl. She has 48 tries in 102 appearances.
“I think Jodie and I always knew that we would finish together,” she said.
“We’ve had a long career side by side and, honestly, I don’t think either of us wanted to play without the other.
“I probably do feel like I could carry on for another couple of years, but I’m certain that this is the right decision. I’m excited for other opportunities and being able to experience some new things.”
Both players are hoping to make the England squad for the 2026 World Cup in Australia which begins in October.
Cunningham has begun a career off the field, having become St Helens’ head of women’s pathways and performance in 2024.
St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus compared them with suffragette leaders Christabel, Sylvia, and Adela Pankhurst – daughters of Emmeline Pankhurst – for their impact in the women’s game.
“Jodie and Emily have been at the core of the remarkable rise of women’s rugby league, both at St Helens and for England, in recent years,” he said.
“They have driven the pioneering spirit for the women’s game, and it is future generations who will really bear the fruit of their incredible efforts. They are truly the Pankhurst sisters of women’s rugby league.”