England women's rugby league history was rewritten this week as record-breaking try scorer Amy Hardcastle announced her retirement from international competition. The 37-year-old St Helens centre finishes her career with the national team having accumulated an impressive total of 30 tries across 29 matches. Her journey on the international stage began back in 2009, marking nearly two decades of dedication to the English program.
The announcement comes just four weeks before the commencement of the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Hardcastle has been a cornerstone of the national squad for years, having participated in the previous three iterations of the global tournament. While her international chapter is now closed, she intends to continue playing domestic rugby league at the club level.
Reflecting on her departure, Hardcastle expressed deep gratitude for her time representing her country. She described pulling on the national jersey as the ultimate privilege of her athletic career and noted the remarkable growth of the women's sport since she first started playing. She also extended her support to the current squad, stating she would be cheering from afar when the team travels to Australia.
Tributes quickly poured in from leadership, including England head coach Stuart Barrow. He praised the veteran player as a defining figure of her era and an exceptional ambassador for the sport. Barrow highlighted her professionalism, resilience, and the significant role she played in raising the profile of women's rugby league globally.
Hardcastle's legacy is cemented by numerous accolades, including being named the sole English representative in the Women's Team of the Decade by the NRL in 2020 for her performances throughout the 2010s. Her departure leaves large shoes to fill as the national team prepares for its tournament opener against Wales in Perth on October 17. The squad will now look forward to the global stage without one of its most dependable and prolific performers.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
