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 features a blend of seasoned internationals, rising talents, and a handful of newcomers making their first senior appearance for England.
Among the debutants are four players who have yet to earn a cap. One of the most notable is Jasmin Strange, a 23‑year‑old second‑row forward who starred in the NRLW Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters. Although born in Australia, Strange qualifies for England through her mother, who was born in the country. She will join the England camp in Perth after the Roosters’ clash with the Brisbane Broncos on 4 October.
The remaining uncapped athletes are Connie Boyd of Leeds Rhinos, Hope Millard from the Canterbury Bulldogs, and Lucie Sams, who turns out for Wigan Warriors. Their inclusion signals Barrow’s willingness to broaden the talent pool and reward 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 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 join the World Cup preparations.
Former World Cup veteran Fran Goldthorp returns to the England fold after a four‑year hiatus. She featured in the 2022 tournament, playing four matches and crossing the try‑line three times.
Goldthorp is joined by two other England‑eligible NRLW players: Georgia Roche, who plies her trade with the Newcastle Knights, and Hollie‑Mae Dodd of the Canberra Raiders. York Valkyrie, the reigning Betfred Women’s Super League champions, are represented by forward Liv Wood.
The league’s leading try‑scorer, Amelia Brown of the Huddersfield Giants, also earns a spot, underscoring her prolific attacking record. St Helens’ experienced loose forward Jodie Cunningham makes her fourth World Cup appearance, and she is accompanied by teammate Vicky Whitfield, adding further depth to the forward pack. Leeds Rhinos have a strong presence with five players selected.
Young Player of the Year candidates Connie Boyd and Ruby Bruce have both been rewarded for their impressive seasons with inclusion in the final list. Head 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." Barrow also highlighted the historic nature of the squad composition: "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 the team’s focus on 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 roster 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 will be staged at Old Trafford on Saturday, 3 October, with live coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+. Kick‑off is scheduled for 6 pm, with pre‑match analysis beginning at 5 pm. This high‑profile fixture serves as a final showcase of domestic talent before the English side departs for the World Cup, where they will aim to build on the progress made in previous tournaments and contend for the title.