St Helens star Jodie Cunningham on crucial Rugby League World Cup for women's game

England and St Helens star Jodie Cunningham believes this year’s Rugby League World Cup is a critical building block in transforming participation and growth of the women’s game in the UK. For the first time, the Women's Rugby League World Cup will be played alongside the men and wheelchair tournaments, with all participants being paid the same and all 61 matches being broadcast live. Ad/> The 2021 Woman of Steel, who started in a 32-6 win against Wales on Sunday ahead of another fascinating friendly fixture against France this weekend, believes now is the time to cash in on the increased spotlight on the game.

Rugby League'There's no doubting his talent' — Robinson backing Hardaker to come good after Rhinos return02/06/2022 AT 15:36 The sixth edition of the tournament will be held in England between 15th October and 19th November 2022 – and Cunningham is convinced the game is ready and waiting to explode. «Even without the pandemic, this World Cup was going to be the biggest opportunity that rugby league has had to grow the sport in many years,» said Cunningham, speaking at Ashton Bears ARLFC. «We need to grab that with both hands, absolutely.

»You add in the pandemic on top of that, and I think it makes it even more important that we take hold of this opportunity we have got, with the World Cup on home soil, to grow the sport of rugby league. «We need to showcase what rugby league can do on every level, not just on the pitch. »People who watch rugby league know how fantastic the athletes who play the game are and how exciting the product can be on the field.