Bradford Bulls Women bring back England star Hardcastle as head coach
Bradford Bulls Women have appointed Amy Hardcastle as head coach for the 2027 season. The club confirmed the move on 7 October.
Hardcastle, 37, is England's all-time leading try-scorer. She scored 30 tries in 29 caps — a cap is an international appearance — before retiring from England duty, according to the BBC.
She plays at centre, the midfield attacking role where pace and timing create breaks. In rugby league, the 13-a-side code, attacks work in sets of six tackles to gain ground. Few players have finished those sets better than Hardcastle.
It is a homecoming. She started her playing career with Bradford in 2009. That gives her an 18-year playing career to draw on, the club said in its announcement.
She will not stop playing yet. Hardcastle will continue to turn out for St Helens in the Women's Super League, the top division of women's rugby league in England, while coaching Bradford. Player-coach splits across two clubs are rare. This one keeps her in weekly top-flight action.
She inherits a side that needs a lift. Bradford lost 11 of their 12 league games in 2026 to finish second-bottom of the division.
For supporters, the appeal is obvious. A proven scorer will now coach scoring. The job is demanding. It also means young Bradford players will learn from someone still facing the best defences herself.
