England Women’s head coach Stuart Barrow has revealed the 23‑player roster that will represent the nation at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection blends seasoned internationals with a handful of newcomers, reflecting the depth of talent across both the domestic Women’s Super League and the Australian NRLW.
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 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 uncapped athletes are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs forward Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors prop Lucie Sams. Their inclusion signals Barrow’s willingness to reward strong domestic performances and to broaden the pool of talent for future campaigns. All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured places in the World Cup 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 departing for Australia the following Thursday to begin preparations.
Former World Cup veteran Fran Goldthorp returns to the England setup for the first time since the 2022 tournament, where she made four appearances and crossed the line three times. She joins two other NRLW‑based England players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plies her trade with the Canberra Raiders.
The newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, York Valkyrie, are represented by forward Liv Wood, while the league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot in the squad. St Helens loose‑forward Jodie Cunningham, a veteran heading into her fourth World Cup, is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, ensuring that the experience of past tournaments is balanced with fresh ambition. Leeds Rhinos have the highest representation with five players. Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both been rewarded for their impressive seasons with inclusion in the final list.
Coach Barrow commented on the difficulty of the selection process, noting that the standard across the wider training group had been exceptionally high throughout the year. He explained that at the start of the season a clear timeline and set of criteria were communicated to all potential candidates, outlining the performance milestones and opportunities that would influence final decisions. "We held several England camps, travelled to France for training, and I attended every Super Four game to evaluate the players in contention," Barrow said.
He acknowledged the tough choices involved in trimming the original 40‑player pool down to the final 23, but expressed confidence that the mix of experience and youthful energy provides the right balance for a global tournament. "It is also an exciting moment for the programme with the inclusion of Australian‑based heritage players for the first time," Barrow added. "Combining talent from the NRLW and the Women’s Super League gives us a unique blend of quality and experience, and we are eager to see these players unite under the England jersey." Looking ahead, Barrow emphasized that preparation will now take centre stage.
"We understand the challenges that a World Cup presents, 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," he concluded. The squad list also includes Keara Bennett (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), Lucy Murray (Leeds Rhinos), Georgia Roche (Newcastle Knights), Isabel Rowe (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 will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October, broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. The match kicks off at 6 p.m., with pre‑game coverage beginning at 5 p.m., offering fans a final showcase of domestic talent before the England squad departs for the World Cup.