England’s women’s rugby league team has officially unveiled its 23‑player roster for the upcoming 2026 Rugby League World Cup, as confirmed by head coach Stuart Barrow. The selection showcases a blend of seasoned internationals, emerging talent, and a handful of newcomers making their first appearance on the world stage.
Among the fresh faces are four players who have yet to earn an England cap. The most notable of these is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters.
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’ clash with the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October, adding a touch of NRLW experience to the English side. The other uncapped athletes named in the group are Connie Boyd of Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard from the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams representing the Wigan Warriors.
All three have impressed at club level and are now set to make their international debuts. Three of the nominees for this season’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the squad, 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 travelling to Australia the following Thursday to join the World Cup preparations.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England setup 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 – Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd of the Canberra Raiders – highlighting the growing influence of the Australian competition on the national side.
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 earned a call‑up, underscoring her prolific finishing record.
St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham, who is heading to her fourth World Cup, will be accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding further depth to the forward pack. Leeds Rhinos have a strong presence with five players selected.
Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both been rewarded for their impressive performances throughout the season with inclusion in the final list. Coach Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process, saying, “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.” 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 historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia, noting, “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.” Looking ahead, the coach emphasized the team’s focus on preparation, stating, “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 squad will converge in Perth for a training camp before heading to the tournament in Australia, where the Super League Grand Final will be played at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October.
The final, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+, is scheduled for a 6 p.m. kickoff, with pre‑match coverage beginning at 5 p.m. This high‑profile event serves as a fitting prelude to the World Cup, showcasing the growing popularity and professionalism of women’s rugby league in both the UK and abroad. With a mixture of veteran campaigners, rising stars, and heritage players making their debut, England’s women’s side aims to combine experience, athleticism, and fresh enthusiasm to challenge for the title.
The squad’s composition reflects the rapid development of the women’s game, the increasing cross‑continental player pathways, and the ambition of the Rugby Football League to build a competitive and globally respected national team.