TWO of the most decorated players in the history of women’s rugby league will hit the road less travelled next month by taking part in the UK Red Ride to Wembley, an epic off-road cycling challenge to raise funds for the charity, Rugby League Cares.

Kirsty Moroney and Beth Sutcliffe, joint head coaches of Bradford Bulls Women, amassed 41 England appearances between them prior to their retirement at the end of last season.

They will join fellow England star Andrea Dobson alongside men’s internationals Keith Senior, Denis Betts, Robbie Hunter-Paul and Nathan McAvoy on the ride, which sets off from the George Hotel, Huddersfield, on Monday, August 19.

Over the next five days, 24 hardy riders will follow bridleways, country lanes, byways, canal towpaths and forest trails on a 340-mile route to Wembley Stadium, climbing more than 18,000ft – the equivalent of sea level to Everest base camp – along the way.

Sutcliffe, a former back row who gained 22 international caps and played in four World Cups, is expecting a tough challenge on the Ride to Wembley but looking forward to spending a week cycling in distinguished company.

She said: “I’ve done long distance cycling events before but nothing like this so it’s going to be great testing myself for the week.

“It’s good to have three women players involved in an event like this and can only raise the profile of our game.

"It’s also a great opportunity for us to give something back to the sport by raising funds for RL Cares.”

Moroney, who played all her career at Bulls before hanging up her boots in 2018, bringing to an end a career that brought her 19 caps including three World Cups, said taking part in the UK Red Ride to Wembley will help fill some of the void created by not playing.

She said: “Unlike Beth, I’m very much not a cyclist so it’s going to be really tough for me but I’ve never been one to shirk a challenge.

“Although I haven’t had much time to dwell on not playing because I’ve been so busy coaching, I do miss the competitive element of matchday.

"The Ride to Wembley may not be a race but I’m sure me, Beth and Andrea won’t be giving each other much quarter.”

To sponsor Moroney on the UK Red Ride to Wembley, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/kirstymoroney-ride2wembley1. To sponsor Sutcliffe, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/bethsutcliffe-ride2wembley