England’s women’s rugby league head coach Stuart Barrow has revealed the 23‑player roster that will represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, signalling a mix of experience and fresh talent for the upcoming tournament. Among the debutants are four players who have never previously worn the England jersey. Notably, NRLW Grand Final participant Jasmin Strange has earned a place in the squad.
The 23‑year‑old second‑row forward, born in Australia but eligible through her English‑born mother, will travel to Perth to join her teammates after the Sydney Roosters conclude their clash with the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October. The other uncapped athletes are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs winger Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors centre Lucie Sams. Their inclusion reflects Barrow’s willingness to reward strong domestic performances with international opportunities. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have been selected, alongside six of their Wigan Warriors teammates.
Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September before heading to Australia the following Thursday for World Cup preparations. Fran Goldthorp returns to the England set‑up for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she featured in four matches and crossed the try‑line three times. She joins two other NRLW‑based English players in the squad: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders.
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 earns a place, underscoring her prolific scoring record. St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, with the 34‑year‑old Cunningham set to make her fourth World Cup appearance.
Their partnership brings a blend of leadership and tenacity to the England camp. Leeds Rhinos have a strong presence with five players named, including Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom have impressed throughout the season and secured spots in the final list.
Coach Barrow commented on the selection process, saying, “The overall standard across the wider group has been outstanding all season, which made narrowing down the squad incredibly tough. At the start of the year we set a clear timeline for selection, outlining the criteria, milestones and opportunities that would lead to this final group.
Throughout the campaign we held several England camps, traveled to France, and I attended every Super Four game to assess the contenders.” He continued, “Reducing the pool from forty hopefuls to a final twenty‑three required some hard decisions, but I am confident we have struck the right balance between experience and youth to compete on the world stage.” Barrow also highlighted the historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia, noting, “This is an exciting moment for the programme as we bring in Australian‑based heritage talent for the first time. Combining the skill sets of NRLW athletes with those from the Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we are eager to see these players unite under the England shirt.” Looking ahead, Barrow emphasized preparation, stating, “Our focus now shifts to getting ready.
We understand the challenges that a World Cup presents, but we travel with a squad that believes in itself, embraces the responsibility of representing England, and is determined to make the nation proud.” The roster list 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), Liv Wood (York Valkyrie). The Women’s Super League Grand Final will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. Kick‑off is scheduled for 6 pm, with pre‑match coverage beginning at 5 pm. This high‑profile fixture serves as a final showcase of domestic talent before the England squad embarks on its World Cup campaign.