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, 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 high‑profile debutant is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward 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 country. She will join the squad in Perth after the Roosters’ clash with 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 turns out for the Wigan Warriors. All three have impressed at club level and earned their first call‑up as part of Barrow’s push to inject youthful vigor into the side.
The squad also features the three nominees for this year’s prestigious Woman of Steel award, alongside 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, after which they will travel to Australia the following Thursday to begin World Cup preparations. Returning to the international fold after a four‑year hiatus is Fran Goldthorp, who last represented England at the 2022 World Cup, where she made four appearances and crossed the try‑line three times. Goldthorp joins two other NRLW‑based English‑qualified players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plies her trade with the Canberra Raiders.
York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood, while the competition’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also secures a place in the squad. St Helens’ veteran loose forward Jodie Cunningham returns for what will be her fourth World Cup campaign, and she is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding further experience to the roster. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players, including Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom earned selection thanks to their standout performances throughout the domestic 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 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 historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia: “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 emphasized 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 list of selected athletes 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, which will be played at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
The match kicks off at 6 p.m., with pre‑match coverage beginning at 5 p.m. This high‑profile domestic showcase serves as a final test for many of the players before they depart for the World Cup, offering a glimpse of the form and fitness that will be on display in the international tournament.
In summary, England’s women’s squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup combines proven veterans, rising stars, and a pioneering group of heritage players from the NRLW. The mix of experience and youthful exuberance, coupled with a clear preparation plan outlined by Coach Barrow, positions the team to compete fiercely on the global stage and aim for a historic tournament performance.