England’s women’s rugby league head coach, Stuart Barrow, has unveiled a 23‑player roster to represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection features 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. 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, she qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the country. Strange will travel to Perth to join the squad after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October.
The other uncapped athletes named are Connie Boyd from the Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard of the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams who plays for the Wigan Warriors. Their inclusion signals a commitment to nurturing new talent alongside the established core. All three nominees for this season’s Woman of Steel award have secured spots in the squad, 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 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 tournament, where she featured in four matches and crossed the try‑line three times. She joins two other England‑eligible players who are based in the NRLW: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd from the Canberra Raiders.
York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood. The competition’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also makes the squad, adding further firepower to the attacking unit.
St Helens’ experienced loose forward Jodie Cunningham is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield. Cunningham, now 34, will be embarking on her fourth World Cup campaign, bringing a wealth of experience to the side. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players to the roster. Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both earned selection, reflecting their strong performances throughout the domestic season.
Coach Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process, noting the high standard displayed across the wider training group. “At the start of the year we set out a clear timeline for selection, outlining the standards, milestones and opportunities that would lead to today’s squad,” he said. “We held multiple England camps, travelled to France, and I attended all the Super Four games to assess the players in contention.” He added that narrowing the pool from an initial 40 candidates to the final 23 required “some tough decisions,” but expressed confidence that the mix of experience and youth would serve the team well on the global stage. Barrow also highlighted the historic inclusion of heritage players based in Australia, marking the first time such athletes have been selected for England.
“Bringing together talent from both the NRLW and the Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience,” he explained. “We’re excited to see these players unite under the England shirt.” Looking ahead, the coach emphasized the importance of 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,” Barrow concluded. The full list of squad members 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, which determines the domestic champion, 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 pm, with pre‑game analysis beginning at 5 pm. This high‑profile fixture serves as a final showcase before the English side departs for the World Cup, offering fans a chance to see many of the squad members in action one last time on home soil.