St Helens captain Jodie Cunningham and vice-captain Emily Rudge have confirmed they will retire from rugby league at the end of the 2026 season. Both 34, lifelong friends and England’s most experienced women’s internationals, they are due to play in the Challenge Cup final against Wigan at Wembley on Saturday before beginning their final campaign together.
Cunningham and Rudge went to school together and have played alongside one another since 2005. They were part of the inaugural St Helens women’s squad formed in 2018 and have been central to the club’s recent dominance: a Women’s Super League title, two League Leaders’ Shields and four consecutive Women’s Challenge Cups from 2021 to 2024.
The pair announced they always planned to finish their careers together. Rudge said she and Cunningham long ago agreed that when the time came they would step away at the same time, and that decision has now been made official. Cunningham echoed that sentiment, explaining that both players had this season in mind for some time and wanted to enjoy their final run in competitions that have defined their careers.
Cunningham was named co-captain in 2019 and became sole captain in 2021, leading St Helens to a treble that year. She was also honoured as the Woman of Steel for the 2021 Betfred Super League season. The loose forward has scored 43 tries in 95 appearances for the Saints and has earned 34 caps for England, surpassing Rudge for the most England appearances between them.
Rudge, a former England captain, is one of only two players to have passed 100 appearances for St Helens and has 48 tries to her name. She reflected on how rugby league has shaped her life and identity, saying the sport provided opportunities, relationships and experiences that will stay with her long after she stops playing. While she feels she could potentially continue a couple more years, she is confident this is the right moment to step away and is excited about new opportunities outside the game.
Both players stressed that their focus for the season is St Helens. Cunningham said announcing their retirement allows them to savour the season and push to add more silverware with the club and teammates who have been part of their journey since 2018. Rudge added that the World Cup remains a distant motivation, but for now her priority is helping Saints have the best possible final year and enjoying every moment of it.
Their joint departure will mark the end of a remarkable partnership that began in schoolyards and grew into sustained success at club and international level. Saints supporters will hope their farewell season brings further trophies to match careers that have left a lasting mark on the women’s game.