England’s women’s rugby league head coach, Stuart Barrow, has released the names of the 23 players who will represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection reflects a blend of seasoned internationals, emerging talent, and a handful of heritage players who qualify through family ties, marking a historic moment for the program. Among the newcomers are four players who have yet to earn an England cap.
The most notable is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters. Though born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the country. She will join the squad in Perth after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October. The other three uncapped athletes are Connie Boyd of the Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard from the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams who plays for the Wigan Warriors.
Each has impressed at club level and earned a place in Barrow’s inaugural World Cup roster. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured spots in the squad, alongside six of their teammates from the Wigan Warriors. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will find out who claims the prestigious accolade on 29 September, after which they will travel to Australia the following Thursday to begin preparations.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England set‑up for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she featured in four games and crossed the try‑line three times. She joins two other NRLW‑based English players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plays for the Canberra Raiders. Their inclusion highlights the growing influence of the Australian competition on the English game.
York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood. The league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also makes the cut, underscoring her prolific finishing ability. St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham, who will be on her fourth World Cup, is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield. Their experience will be vital in guiding the younger members of the group.
Leeds Rhinos have five players selected, reflecting the club’s strong season. Among them are Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both rewarded for their impressive performances. Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process: “The standard across the wider group has been outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging. At the start of the year we set out a clear timeline with the players, outlining the standards, milestones and opportunities that would contribute to today’s selection.
Throughout the season we’ve held a number of England camps, travelled to France and I have attended all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention.” He continued, “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.” Barrow also highlighted the significance of the heritage players: “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.” Looking ahead, Barrow stressed the importance of preparation: “Now our focus turns 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.” The full roster 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).
The Women’s Super League Grand Final will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. Kick‑off is scheduled for 6 pm, with pre‑match analysis beginning at 5 pm. This high‑profile event will serve as a final showcase of the talent that Barrow has now assembled for the upcoming World Cup, offering fans a preview of the skill and determination the England women will bring to the global stage.