Leeds Rhinos Women have significantly bolstered their squad ahead of the 2023 Betfred Women’s Super League season after announcing the signing of England international Amy Hardcastle from St Helens.
The two-time treble winner arrives at Headingley after an impressive showing at the recent 2021 Rugby League World Cup, where her five tries helped England reach the semi-finals.
Speaking about her move to the Rhinos, Hardcastle said: “It’s exciting to be joining the Rhinos and I am looking forward to the new challenge. After the World Cup, I started looking at my options and thinking about what I wanted to do and considered did I want to stay in the game, did I want to progress and I had to think about what would benefit myself and my family. Being closer to home was a factor for me and I still want to play at the best level that I possibly can, with a quality side as well. Leeds were at the top of the options and I approached Lois and I asked her what her thoughts were and it went from there.
“It’s a great club and what they are doing for the Women’s team is exciting and seeing where the club is going. I have spoken to a lot of the girls when I have been in England training and they all have positive things to say about Leeds, so I am so grateful that I have been given this opportunity to play for another club and make some more memories and learn as well as making it easier for my family.
“I enjoyed my time at St Helens, it’s a great club and I can’t thank the staff and fans enough for how they helped with my journey and welcomed me in and I leave with many happy memories.”
Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Lois Forsell added: “Amy is a quality player with plenty of experience playing at the highest level. She is the only player to have won the treble twice, which is a remarkable achievement, and we know she has ambitions to win more. She is an athletic player who will be a great addition to our squad and I am looking forward to working with her again.”
The 33-year-old started her career with Bradford Bulls and was part of the treble winning Bradford side in 2017, alongside her now head coach Lois Forsell. During her time with the Bulls, she was awarded the club captaincy, and would earn her first cap for England in 2009.
Halifax-born Hardcastle would go on to represent her country at the 2013 and 2017 Rugby League World Cups and was the only English player to be named in the NRL’s 2020 Women’s Team of the Decade.
In the same year, she made the move to St Helens, but wouldn’t make her debut until 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Her first season with the Saints was a remarkable one though, as her 23 tries in just 13 appearances were key to the side securing all three domestic trophies.
Hardcastle would feature in successive Challenge Cup Finals in 2021 and 2022 and would end the latter as part of Craig Richards’ England Women RLWC2021 squad.
An established international centre with 26 tries in 24 appearances, Hardcastle will add some proven top-level quality to Forsell’s Rhinos squad for the 2023 season.
