Leeds Rhinos lose trio as star centre makes St Helens return

St Helens have secured a major coup after re-signing England star Amy Hardcastle. The centre has left Leeds Rhinos after two seasons to return to Saints, where she established herself as one of the world's best.

In a two-season spell with Saints, Hardcastle scored an astonishing 50 tries in 28 games and was named in the NRL Women's Team of the Decade. Internationally, she has scored 30 tries in 28 games.

“I’m super excited," she said. "I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think this was on the cards but with Dek [Hardman] putting out there he was coming back to Saints, it was something I would always investigate.

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“He’s an incredible person and when I look at my journey through rugby, in 2021 he changed my style of game and the success I had at Saints is a lot because of the hard work from Dek, and working one-to-one, getting to know me as a person, understanding me, and he definitely got the best out of me.

“I love Craig to bits; with England he was a great support as well and he also understood me as a person, and I’m looking forward to working under Craig too.

“It’s been a big two years at Leeds, my reasons for going were to be close to home and support my daughter. But I believe with my daughter being a little bit older now, and her understanding, it feels within myself right to be able to do things more for me instead of doing things for other people."

Hardcastle is one of three players announced to be leaving Leeds. Hardcastle's close friend, Shona Hoyle, and Caitlin Casey have also departed.

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