England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has unveiled a 23‑player roster to represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection blends seasoned internationals with a handful of fresh faces, reflecting both the depth of the domestic Women’s Super League and the growing influence of English‑qualified talent playing in Australia’s NRLW.
Among the newcomers are four players who have yet to earn an England cap. Most notable is 23‑year‑old second‑rower Jasmin Strange, 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 squad in Perth after the Roosters’ 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 prop Lucie Sams. Their inclusion signals Barrow’s willingness to reward emerging talent that has impressed during the season. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the squad, alongside six of their teammates from the Wigan Warriors camp.
Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September, before heading to Australia the following Thursday to join the World Cup preparations. Former World Cup veteran Fran Goldthorp returns to the England fold for the first time since the 2022 tournament, where she made four appearances and crossed the line three times.
She joins two other NRLW‑based English players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plies her trade with the Canberra Raiders. Their experience in the fast‑paced Australian competition adds a valuable dimension to the squad’s overall skill set.
The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, York Valkyrie, are represented by forward Liv Wood, while the league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot. St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a veteran heading into her fourth World Cup, is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, underscoring the strength of the club’s forward pack. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster.
Young Player of the Year contenders Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both been rewarded for their standout seasons with selection. The Rhinos’ depth is further highlighted by the inclusion of Keara Bennett, Evie Cousins, Lucy Murray and other emerging talents. Barrow spoke about the difficulty of narrowing down the pool, noting that the standard across the wider training group had been "outstanding throughout the season, which made the selection process incredibly challenging." He explained that at the start of the year a clear timeline was set, outlining the performance benchmarks, milestones and opportunities that would influence final selections. Throughout the campaign England held multiple training camps, traveled to France for joint sessions, and Barrow attended every Super Four game to assess the contenders first‑hand.
"Reducing the squad from an initial 40 players to the final 23 involved some tough decisions," Barrow said, "but we believe we have struck the right balance between experience and youth to compete at the highest level." He highlighted the historic nature of this group, noting that it is the first time heritage players based in Australia have been incorporated into an England women’s squad. "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 unite under the England jersey," Barrow added.
Looking ahead, Barrow emphasized that preparation will now dominate the team’s focus. He acknowledged the challenges that await in the World Cup but expressed confidence in the squad’s belief in themselves and their sense of responsibility to represent England with pride. "We travel with a group that embraces the responsibility of wearing the England shirt and is determined to make the nation proud," he concluded. The squad list, as released by the Rugby Football League, 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. The event serves as a final showcase of domestic talent before the England squad embarks on its World Cup campaign in Australia later that month.