England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has officially unveiled his 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup, a selection that blends seasoned internationals with a handful of fresh faces eager to make their debut on the world stage. The squad, which will converge in Perth before the tournament, reflects a strategic mix of experience, youth, and cross‑hemisphere talent, underscoring the growing depth of the women’s game in both the English Super League and the Australian NRLW.
Among the newcomers are four uncapped players who have impressed during the domestic season and earned a call‑up for the first time. Leading the group is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final for the Sydney Roosters. Although born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the UK.
She will join the England camp in Perth after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October, bringing a high‑level Grand Final experience to the squad. The other three debutants are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs prop Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors centre Lucie Sams.
Each has shown consistent form in their respective leagues and now has the opportunity to translate that performance onto the international stage. The selection also highlights the dominance of the Wigan Warriors this season.
All three nominees for the prestigious Woman of Steel award—Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams—have been named, alongside six of their club teammates. The trio will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September, a night that will also mark their final preparations before heading to Australia the following Thursday.
Returning to the World Cup fold after a four‑year absence is Fran Goldthorp, who made a memorable impact at the 2022 tournament by scoring three tries in four matches. Goldthorp joins two other England‑qualified NRLW players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plies her trade with the Canberra Raiders.
Their inclusion signals a historic first for the England women’s program—heritage players based in Australia are now part of the senior squad. York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood, while the league’s top try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also secures a spot.
St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham, now 34, will make her fourth World Cup appearance, and she is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding further depth to the forward pack. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster, reflecting the club’s strong season. Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce are among those selected, illustrating the club’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent. Coach Barrow spoke about the difficulty of narrowing down the initial 40‑player training group to the final 23.
“The standard across the wider group has been outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging,” he said. He explained that at the start of the year a clear timeline and set of criteria were communicated to all potential candidates, outlining performance milestones, training camp attendance, and international eligibility requirements. Barrow added that England camps were held throughout the season, including a development tour to France, and that he personally attended every Super Four game to evaluate players in competitive situations. “Narrowing our squad from 40 players to a final 23 has involved some difficult decisions, but we believe we have the right balance of experience and youth to compete on the world stage,” he affirmed.
The coach also highlighted the significance of integrating Australian‑based heritage players for the first time. “It’s an exciting moment for the programme with the inclusion of Australian‑based heritage players for the first time. Bringing together talent from both the NRLW and the Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we’re excited to see these players come together in an England shirt,” Barrow explained. Looking ahead, Barrow emphasized that the squad’s focus now shifts to preparation.
“We know the challenges that await at a World Cup, but we are travelling with a squad that believes in itself, embraces the responsibility of representing England, and is determined to make the nation proud,” he concluded. The full list of selected players includes: Keara Bennett (Leeds Rhinos), Connie Boyd (Leeds Rhinos), Amelia Brown (Huddersfield Giants), Ruby Bruce (Leeds Rhinos), Mary Coleman (Wigan Warriors), Evie Cousins (Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Hollie‑Mae Dodd (Canberra Raiders), Jenna Foubister (Wigan Warriors), Fran Goldthorp (North Queensland), Eva Hunter (Wigan Warriors), Molly Jones (Wigan Warriors), Hope Millard (Canterbury Bulldogs), Lucy Murray (Leeds Rhinos), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Isabel Rowe (Wigan Warriors), Lucie Sams (Wigan Warriors), Jasmin Strange (Sydney Roosters), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens), Megan Williams (Wigan Warriors), Georgia Wilson (Wigan Warriors) and Liv Wood (York Valkyrie). Fans can also look forward to the Super League Grand Final, which will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October. The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, kicking off at 6 pm with pre‑game coverage beginning at 5 pm.
This high‑profile domestic finale will serve as a final showcase of the talent that many of these players bring to the international arena, setting the tone for England’s campaign in the World Cup.