England’s women’s rugby league side, under the guidance of head coach Stuart Barrow, has unveiled a 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection reflects a blend of seasoned internationals and fresh talent, aiming to deliver a competitive performance on the global stage. Among the newcomers are four players who have yet to earn an England cap.
Notably, 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final for the Sydney Roosters, has earned a place. Although 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 uncapped athletes are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs forward Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors prop Lucie Sams. Their inclusion signals a commitment to nurturing emerging talent alongside the established core of the team.
All three nominees for this season’s Woman of Steel award have been selected, as have six of their teammates from the Wigan Warriors. Jenna Foubister, Eva Hunter and Megan Williams will learn the outcome of the award on 29 September before departing for Australia the following Thursday. 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 is joined by two other NRLW‑based England players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plays for the Canberra Raiders.
Their experience in the Australian competition adds a valuable dimension to the squad. York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood. Additionally, the league’s top try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, has secured a spot, underscoring her prolific attacking credentials. St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham is paired with teammate Vicky Whitfield, marking Cunningham’s fourth World Cup appearance at the age of 34.
Their partnership brings both leadership and continuity to the forward pack. Leeds Rhinos have five representatives in the squad. Young Player of the Year contenders Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both earned selection, reflecting their standout performances throughout the season. Coach 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 selection timeline with the players, outlining the standards, milestones and opportunities that would contribute to today’s selection. Throughout the season, we’ve had a number of England camps, we have travelled to France, and I’ve been present at all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention for selection. “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 also highlighted the historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia: “It’s also 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.
“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 squad 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 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+. The match kicks off at 6 p.m., with pre‑game programming beginning at 5 p.m.
This high‑profile event serves as a final showcase for many of the players before they embark on the World Cup campaign, offering fans a chance to see the talent that will soon wear the England jersey on the international stage.