England’s women’s rugby league 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, showcasing 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 a senior cap. Leading the group is 23‑year‑old Jasmin Strange, a second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters. Though born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the UK.
She will join the England camp in Perth after the Roosters’ match against the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October. The other three uncapped athletes are Leeds Rhinos forward Connie Boyd, Canterbury Bulldogs prop Hope Millard, and Wigan Warriors centre Lucie Sams. Their inclusion signals a commitment to nurturing emerging talent and rewarding strong performances at club level.
All three nominees for this year’s Woman of Steel award have secured places 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 departing for Australia the following Thursday to join the national team.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England set‑up for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she featured in four matches and crossed for three tries. She is joined by two other NRLW‑based English players: Georgia Roche of the Newcastle Knights and Hollie‑Mae Dodd, who plies her trade with the Canberra Raiders. Their experience in the highly competitive Australian league adds a valuable dimension to the side.
York Valkyrie, the newly crowned Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by veteran forward Liv Wood. The league’s top try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot, underscoring her prolific scoring record throughout the season.
St Helens loose forward Jodie Cunningham, a stalwart of the England programme, is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield. Cunningham, now 34, will be making her fourth World Cup appearance, bringing a wealth of leadership and composure to the forward pack.
Leeds Rhinos have five players in the squad, reflecting the club’s strong performances this year. Young Player of the Year nominees Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce are both included, rewarding their breakthrough seasons. Coach Barrow commented on 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. 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, Barrow emphasized 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), and Liv Wood (York Valkyrie). The Women's Super League Grand Final 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 a pre‑show beginning at 5 pm, providing a perfect lead‑in to the World Cup campaign that follows. England’s women enter the tournament with a blend of seasoned campaigners and hungry newcomers, a mix that Coach Barrow believes offers the ideal balance of skill, experience and enthusiasm. Their preparation camps, overseas tours, and exposure to top‑level competition aim to ensure they are ready to face the world’s best and compete for the coveted trophy.