ST HELENS hooker Tara Jones has announced her retirement as a player to become a full-time match official with the Rugby Football League.

Jones, St Helens Women’s leading appearance maker, became the first woman to referee a senior RFL men’s fixture in April when she took charge of the Betfred League One fixture between Oldham and Cornwall at Boundary Park.

The 28-year-old, capped 14 times by England, has also appeared as a touch-judge in a number of Betfred Super League fixtures.

Jones told her Saints team-mates of her decision before her side’s Women’s Super League Grand Final defeat to York Valkyrie on Sunday.

RFL head of match officials Phil Bentham said: “It’s been a big decision for her to retire from a fantastic club and international playing career after this weekend’s Women’s Super League Grand Final.

“This significant appointment will see Tara become the first woman to join our full-time squad since its inception in 2006.”

England Women head coach Stuart Barrow added: “Tara has been an outstanding player for club and country, at such an exciting time for Women’s Rugby League – and she was an integral part of our 2022 World Cup campaign.”