Emily Rudge is England women’s most capped Rugby League player ever and has captained the side since 2018. But for Rudge, there remains one ultimate goal –– â€winning the World Cup.” Since its inception in 2000, there have been five instalments of the competition, three of which have been won by New Zealand, with England’s best place finish being third. Rudge, who has played in three of these five World Cups, will lead the team out on home soil this November, in a tournament which promises to be transformational for the sport. â€œI think we’ve got a really strong squad this year,” Rudge told GiveMeSport Women. â€œThe likes of Hollie Dodd, Keara [Bennett] and Fran [Goldthorp] are all incredible athletes, even though they’re so young.”Craig Richards’ squad consists of just one uncapped player and the youthful enthusiasm of England’s newest stars is well complemented by the experience of long-term servants such as Jodie Cunningham, Amy Hardcastle and Rudge herself. â€œI think there’s strength across every position and it’s a really good position to be in ahead of a World Cup,” the England skipper emphasised. 

While Rudge has led by example on the pitch for many years, her role as captain requires more than just galvanising her side on match days. There is plenty of work going on behind the scenes and a “lot to it” as she puts it. 

“I regularly meet with Craig and the other coaching staff about things that are going on in the team and we discuss what's best for the team and how we get the best out of players and things like that,” she explained. 

“So, yeah, I think there's obviously some additional things that I have to do but I think I'm really lucky in the sense that there are a lot of experienced leaders in the squad. 

“The likes of Jodie [Cunningham], who's captain of St.Helens. Amy’s vice-captain and got a lot of experience as well and I think that there's a lot of leaders in the group which probably takes the pressure off me a little bit. 

“There are quite a lot of players that the young girls can look up to and go to if they need any help or advice.” 

WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Elisa Ciria and Laureane Biville of France challenge Emily Rudge of England during the Women's International Friendly match between England and France at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Warrington, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)

What could the World Cup do for women’s rugby? 

Having made her England debut back in 2008, Rudge exemplified that the support the side gets now is better than ever and that this World Cup is going to help grow the game even more. 

“This World Cup is definitely going to be the biggest and best one yet. I was lucky enough to be part of the 2013 World Cup and that was incredible being on home soil. But, I think in comparison, this is just going to be next level. 

“The crowds are going to be so much bigger, and there's going to be so many more people getting behind us. And I think that's just such an exciting prospect moving forward.”

Rudge also acknowledged the success of the England Women’s football team at Euro 2022 earlier this summer and hopes that with this year’s World Cup being broadcast and advertised heavily, we could see similar levels of growth in women’s Rugby League. 

WARRINGTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: Caitlin Beevers of England celebrates scoring their side's second try with teammates Emily Rudge, Jodie Cunningham and Amy Hardcastle during the Women's International Friendly match between England and France at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on June 18, 2022 in Warrington, England. (Photo by Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images)

“I think that the Lionesses are a great example of what you can achieve when you have some success in the sport and especially at a home tournament as well, where people can get to the games and they can see them happening. 

“All the games are being covered, and I think we're in a very similar position as they were. So, it's really exciting to think that we could maybe emulate something similar to what they achieved.”

​​The thought of lifting that trophy at Old Trafford is just something that I can't really get out of my head and I think it's something that every girl in the squad has dreamed of. That's the ultimate goal for us all.

How did Rudge get into Rugby? 

Rudge attended Cardinal Newman High School, along with fellow England star, Cunningham, and it was Rudge who actually inspired her friend to take up the sport. 

“Jodie and I went to school together and we were actually really fortunate in that they wanted to get a girls’ rugby team going. Jodie was more interested in playing netball at first and it was only when the team did pretty well in that first year and we managed to go down to London and played in the ‘Champions School’ ’tournament, that she became interested and we’ve fallen in love with it ever since.” 

LEEDS, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Emily Rudge of St Helens celebrates during the Betfred Women's Super League Grand Final match between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens at Elland Road on May 07, 2022 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

The England captain was fortunate to discover her love for the sport, especially with no clear pathway for girls when she was younger. Now, things are starting to change and Rudge is pleased with the progression that’s been made in recent years. 

“The pathway at the minute has grown so much and it’s incredible. In comparison to when I first started, there was no pathway and we got to kind of set up our own team in order to have somewhere to play. Whereas, there are loads of opportunities to learn in school and outside of school at the minute, so that's a massive progression that's been made. 

“But, I definitely think there's still a way to go and I think that as the sport grows each year and gets bigger and bigger, the momentum needs to continue in order to get more young girls playing as well.” 

What does the future hold? 

While she has already achieved so much in the sport, Rudge is in no rush to retire anytime soon. She has already bookmarked the next World Cup in France as an aim of hers and has dreamt of playing at Wembley for next year’s Challenge Cup Final. 

“Playing at Wembley has always been a dream of mine, so I would absolutely love to get the opportunity to play there before I retire. Hopefully, I can also push on and make another World Cup. I mean, making five World Cups would be pretty cool I think. I’d love to push on and do that.”