SAINTS second row Emily Rudge has been confirmed as the captain of the England Women’s team for the upcoming Downer World Cup Nines and the ground-breaking tour of Papua New Guinea this November.

Rudge has more caps – with 20 - than any other player in the England Women’s squad and was one of three contenders for the 2019 Telegraph Woman of Steel Award after helping St Helens to the semi-finals of both the Betfred Women’s Super League and Coral Challenge Cup.

The secondary school teacher said: “I am honoured to have been named captain for the upcoming World Cup Nines and the tour of Papua New Guinea. I’ve been a part of the England Women’s set up for a number of years now and to get the opportunity to lead my country out will truly be the highlight of my career.

“The Nines will be interesting as it is a new format, but I think it will suit us as we have some fantastic players in our squad who like to play expansive rugby. The games against Papua New Guinea will be tough but a great test for us as a team and it will be a fantastic experience for everyone involved.”

England Women’s squad for the Downer World Cup Nines:

Dannielle Anderson (Leeds), Caitlin Beevers (Leeds), Leah Burke (St Helens), Chantelle Crowl (St Helens), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Faye Gaskin (St Helens), Kelsey Gentles (Castleford), Amy Hardcastle (Bradford), Shona Hoyle (St Helens), Rhiannion Marshall (Castleford), Sinead Peach (Castleford), Georgia Roche (Castleford), Emily Rudge (St Helens), Tara-Jane Stanley (Castleford), Naomi Williams (St Helens), Georgia Wilson (Wigan).