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 blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, reflecting a strategic mix of experience and fresh talent aimed at competing at the highest level. Among the debutants 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 secured 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 Connie Boyd from Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard of the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams representing the Wigan Warriors. Their inclusion signals the coaching staff’s confidence in the depth of talent emerging from both the domestic Super League and the overseas NRLW competition. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have been named in the squad, 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, before departing for Australia the following Thursday to join the World Cup preparations.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England fold 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 further NRLW‑based English‑qualified players: Georgia Roche, who plies her trade with the Newcastle Knights, and Hollie‑Mae Dodd of the Canberra Raiders. Their involvement marks a historic moment, as this is the inaugural inclusion of heritage players based in Australia.
York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by veteran prop Liv Wood. The league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a place, underscoring her prolific scoring record throughout the season. St Helens’ loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a stalwart of the side, returns for what will be her fourth World Cup campaign.
She is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding further experience to the squad’s forward pack. Leeds Rhinos contribute five players, including Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce, both of whom have impressed with their performances this season and secured selection as a result. 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. “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 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 Super League Grand Final, a marquee event preceding the World Cup, will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday 3 October. The match will kick off at 6 p.m., with a live broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+.
Coverage will begin at 5 p.m., offering fans an hour of pre‑game analysis and build‑up. This high‑profile fixture serves as a final showcase of domestic talent before the English squad embarks on its World Cup campaign, providing a perfect platform to gauge form and fitness ahead of the tournament.