Leeds Rhinos news: huge coup for Super League champs as Amy Hardcastle joins from St Helens

The signing is a huge statement of intent by Rhinos as they prepare to defend the Betfred Women’s Super League trophy they took off Saints last year.

As well as removing a key player from one of their main rivals, Hardcastle’s signing adds more firepower to Rhinos’ already potent back division.

The 33-year-old has been an England international since 2009 and played in four successive World Cups, scoring five tries in three matches during last year’s tournament.

She played for Bradford Bulls from 2009-2019 and made her St Helens debut in 2021, when they finished top of Super League and won the Challenge Cup and Grand Final.

Hardcastle was a Challenge Cup winner again last season and finished her Saints career with 51 tries in just 28 appearances.

Rhinos coach Lois Forsell, who played alongside Hardcastle at Bradford, is excited about what she will add to Leeds.

“She’ll bring quality in the way she plays,” Forsell predicted. “She’ll bring a bit of leadership and it’s exciting to work with her.

“Yes, she’s a great player, but I think there’s things in her game she can improve and she is really excited about that as well.”

Hardcastle works in the accident and emergency department at Calderdale Royal Hospital in her home town of Halifax.

Forsell added: “She’s looking forward to playing and enjoying her rugby and it will make it a bit easier for her without as much travel.”

Hardcastle will strengthen a Rhinos back line which already included England centre Fran Goldthorpe - who is considering an approach to play in Australia - and Caitlin Beevers.

Half-back Courtney Winfield-Hill, who captained Rhinos from the team’s debut in 2018 to last year, has now retired and Forsell insisted: “It’s important some players come in with experience.

“We have got a lot of signings from our academy and other areas who don’t have as much experience.

“They are great players, but having someone with her experience will be great for us.”

An “excited” Hardcastle said she is “looking forward to the new challenge”.

She stated: “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 asked her what her thoughts were and it went from there.”

Hardcastle added: “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 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.”

Hardcastle follows Welsh international Bethan Dainton whose signing was confirmed on Wednesday.

Rhinos have also signed Dainton’s Army rugby league teammates Kaiya Glynn and Jenna Greening.