Saints' Emily Rudge will no longer captain England Women after an announcement last night on her Instagram...
England Women will have a new captain after the recent Rugby League World Cup in this country, with Stuart Barrow opting for a fresh face to lead the side as he begins his reign as the new England Women Head Coach.
Saints Women’s Head of Rugby, Craig Richards, made Rudge his England skipper in 2018, after he was appointed England Women’s Head Coach following the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Rudge has been capped a record breaking 30 times for England during her career so far. The second rower made her international debut at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup against Australia, playing in three further World Cups since (2013, 2017, 2022) and she intends to try and play in a fifth tournament at France 2025 as well!
Despite no longer being the team’s captain, Rudge intends to remain available to be called up for England whenever she is asked to do so in the future.
Rudge announced the news herself on Instagram last night:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CpvdSiltt7k/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Last week, we announced Rudge will remain as number 12 for the Red V in 2023, and will also be a vice captain next season alongside Tara Jones.
You can read our 2023 squad number announcement here
