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23 Nov 2021

Emily Rudge & Nathan Collins nominated for Golden Boot

Emily Rudge & Nathan Collins nominated for Golden Boot

England Rugby League duo Emily Rudge and Nathan Collins have been nominated for the Women’s and Wheelchair International Rugby League Golden Boots, respectively.

However, the Board of the IRL have decided not to award the Golden Boot in 2021 as a large portion of the membership were unable to participate in qualifying games. The outstanding performances from this year will be added to the long-list and taken for consideration in the 2022 award. 

Rudge captained England Women to two victories in 2021 including a mid-season hammering of Wales before a second convincing victory over France in Perpignan. The second-rower scored in both outings and became England Women’s all-time top appearance maker. 

On her nomination, Rudge said: “It’s a huge honour to be nominated for the International Rugby League Golden Boot and another moment I’m really proud of during my England career. 

It’s been a fantastic year for us with our victories against Wales and France and - while this nomination is for an individual award – it is very much a team effort, and I am always so grateful to lead my country out alongside such a brilliant group of players.” 

Collins was a standout performer for England Wheelchair in their mid-season victory over Wales before scoring four tries, including a memorable hat-trick in game two of their two-match Test Series against France in Medway this November.

On his nomination, Collins said: “I’m honoured to be on the long list of players for the Golden Boot in 2022, with some world class players, I’m looking forward to the 2022 season with loads more opportunities to get better and improve my game leading towards the World Cup at the end of 2022.” 

England Wheelchair’s Jack Brown is the most recent winner of the Wheelchair Golden Boot award following impressive performances against France and Australia in 2019.

The IRL panel has placed two players on the long-list for the Women’s Golden Boot: 

  • Emily Rudge (England)
  • Ffion Lewis (Wales)

The IRL panel has placed three players on the long-list for the Wheelchair Golden Boot: 

  • Nicolas Clausells (France)
  • Jeremy Bourson (France) 
  • Nathan Collins (England)