England captain Jodie Cunningham will hang up her boots after Rugby League World Cup 2026 as the most capped women's player at international level.

Cunningham, who made her England debut against France in 2009, has since gone on to play 34 Tests and hopes to add to that tally at RLWC2026, which would be her fourth World Cup.

New Zealand great Honey Hireme-Smiler and Australia's Hall of Famer Tahnee Norris are their country's most capped internationals with 32 Test appearances apiece.

The 34-year-old is also set to lead England later this year as the squad travels to Australia for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

Of the current players, Jillaroos playmaker Ali Brigginshaw, who has also announced her retirement after the World Cup, has played 29 Tests and could become Australia's most capped player if selected for RLWC2026.

“Jodie Cunningham’s retirement marks the end of an era not just for England Rugby League, but for the women’s game as a whole," England coach Stuart Barrow said.

"Very few players leave a legacy as significant as hers. She has been one of the driving forces behind the growth and visibility of women’s rugby league in this country, and she deserves enormous credit for everything she has achieved throughout her career.

Photo: England captain Jodie Cunningham will retire after RLWC2026 @SWPix

“She’s been a leader in every environment she’s walked into. Whether she was captain or not, players naturally looked towards her because she set the tone.

"She never asked for special treatment, never wanted the spotlight on herself, but her actions demanded respect. Those are the people who leave the biggest mark on a sport."

Cunningham's long-time club and Test team-mate Emily Rudge has also announced her retirement at the end of the Women's Super League season with St Helens.

“Rudgey [Emily] and I have had this in mind as our last year for quite a while, and we thought it was finally time to make it official so we can enjoy our last time making the final of a competition that has played such a huge part in our career.

“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.

“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 with this incredible club and the most amazing group of people.”

Rudge, who has made 33 Test appearances, debuted for England during the 2008 World Cup against Australia and went on to establish herself as a key figure on the international stage, also featuring in the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.

Photo: Emily Rudge in action for England against the Kiwi Ferns. @SWPix

The back-rower was named England captain in 2019 ahead of the two-match tour of Papua New Guinea, where she made headlines by becoming the first England Women player to score four tries in a single match in Goroka, before adding another try a week later in Port Moresby.

The 34-year-old also captained England against Wales and France on two occasions each prior to the 2022 Rugby League World Cup on home soil, which concluded with a semi-final defeat to New Zealand at York’s LNER Community Stadium.

Barrow said that Cunningham and Rudge have played pivotal roles in the growth and success of the women’s game, both domestically and internationally, inspiring the next generation of players through their leadership, longevity and achievements at the highest level.

“Emily Rudge has been one of the defining figures of this generation of England Rugby League players," Barrow said.

"What she has given to the sport over the course of her career goes far beyond appearances, trophies or statistics. She has represented everything you want a player in your team to stand for - professionalism, toughness and an unwavering commitment to her team-mates.

“When people speak about the growth of the women’s game in this country, Emily’s name will always be part of that conversation.

"She has inspired young girls to believe there is a pathway for them in rugby league, and she has helped raise standards across the international and domestic game through the way she trained, competed and carried herself since she earned her first international cap back in 2008.

"The women’s game is in a stronger position because of players like Emily Rudge and Jodie Cunnigham.

"The standards young athletes now aspire to were shaped by pioneers who invested years of hard work into building respect for the international programme, and both Emily and Jodie have been at the heart of that journey.”